Word Decoding Strategies

When a child gets stuck on a word, there are many strategies he/she can try to attack the word for themselves. Good readers need to be able to monitor and correct themselves as they read. Learning decoding and self-correction skills help children become independent readers. When listening to your child read aloud, FIRST give your child 5-10 seconds before helping them with a word. See what they can do on their own. Do not prompt them to "Sound it Out". THEN if they can't figure it out, have them try the following strategies. FINALLY, after several of these strategies are attempted, you can tell them the correct word.

• Picture Clues
• Read and Leap
• Get your mouth ready
• Go back and re-read
• Point and Slide
• Puzzle Piece
• Try a word then ask
• Does it look right?
• Does it sound right?
• Does it make sense?