Power in Every Mind

Finger Tracking

What it is:

Using a finger to follow along with the words while reading.

How to do it:

1. Have your child point to each word as they read
2. Move their finger smoothly from left to right
3. Keep their place on the line

Why it works:

It helps your child stay focused and not lose their place while reading.

Stop and Summarize

What it is:

Pausing during reading to say what just happened.

How to do it:

1. Have your child read a short section
2. Stop and ask, “What just happened?”
3. Have them explain it in their own words

Why it works:

It helps your child understand and remember what they are reading.

Predict While Reading

What it is:

Thinking about what might happen next in a story.

How to do it:

1. Pause while reading
2. Ask your child what they think will happen next
3. Continue reading to check

Why it works:

It keeps your child engaged and thinking about the story.

Reread for Clarity

What it is:

Going back and reading again when something does not make sense.

How to do it:

1. If your child is confused, have them go back
2. Read the sentence or paragraph again slowly
3. Talk about what it means

Why it works:

It helps improve understanding and builds confidence when reading.

Questioning While Reading

What it is:

Asking questions during reading to better understand the text.

How to do it:

1. Pause during reading
2. Ask questions like “Why did that happen?” or “Who is this about?”
3. Discuss the answers together

Why it works:

It helps your child think more deeply about what they are reading.

Highlight and Reflect

What it is:

Marking important parts of a text and thinking about why they matter.

How to do it:

1. Have your child highlight or point out key parts
2. Ask why those parts are important
3. Talk about them together

Why it works:

It helps your child focus on important ideas instead of reading passively.

Chunked Reading

What it is:

Breaking reading into smaller, manageable parts.

How to do it:

1. Divide the text into short sections
2. Read one section at a time
3. Pause between sections to talk about it

Why it works:

It prevents overwhelm and helps your child better understand each part.

Echo Reading

What it is:

Reading together by having your child repeat after you.

How to do it:

1. Read a sentence out loud
2. Have your child repeat it
3. Continue back and forth

Why it works:

It builds fluency, confidence, and understanding.

Partner Reading

What it is:

Reading together and taking turns.

How to do it:

1. Take turns reading sentences or pages
2. Help when your child gets stuck
3. Talk about what you read

Why it works:

It provides support and makes reading more engaging.

Think-Aloud Strategy

What it is:

Showing your child how to think while reading.

How to do it:

1. Read a sentence out loud
2. Say your thoughts out loud (for example, “This part is confusing” or “I think this means…”)
3. Encourage your child to do the same

Why it works:

It teaches your child how to process and understand text.

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