Predicts words when you read

When you read to your children can they listen and predict the oncoming words?

This enjoyable activity is based on the predictable structure and grammar of the English language, and the ability of proficient readers to predict oncoming text before their eyes have seen it.  We can use the activity to demonstrate to children that predicting (guessing) is a legitimate reading strategy which they should use. 

Choose a story which is familiar to your child.  Begin reading aloud stopping at easily predicted end words such as:

"Little Red Riding Hood set off for her Grandmothers' _______."  

The activity works best if you don't let the child see the print.  When the child says "house" you joyfully confirm that he/she is right! 

"How can you be so clever to know the word without even seeing it!" 

If the child can already read, you may show the word to prove to them that they did it.

Later, you can try stopping at different words.  Here are a few examples.

"What great big ______ you have, my dear."

"The Woodcutter ____  the wolf's tummy open."

"Her mother made goodies for Gr_______ to eat."

By encouraging them to 'guess' they approach their everyday reading tasks in a more relaxed way with more efficient strategies.  What actually occurs is that the oncoming text is really predicted by focussing on the meaning, language and grammar rather than the phonological features of the print itself.  Thus their eyes are free to only confirm that the text was correct, and not to decode and analyse each word before uttering it. 

Using this method new words do not have to be pre-learned as the child can teach him/herself any new word that can be predicted or pronounced.  Expect rapid progress once this technique is used.