Read Out Loud

Laura Cassidy • January 14, 2024

Is your child or student struggling with reading? Are you looking for effective methods to support their reading development? One approach that has shown promising results for children with dyslexia is reading aloud. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of nurturing reading fluency in children with dyslexia and provide practical tips to help them become proficient readers.

Understanding the Challenges

Children with dyslexia face unique challenges when it comes to reading. They often struggle with decoding words accurately, which can hinder their overall comprehension. It's important to recognize that their difficulties lie not in higher-level thinking but in the decoding process itself. Dyslexic learners employ an inefficient system in the brain, making it necessary for them to exert extra effort to break down words into smaller parts.

The Role of Fluency

Fluency acts as a bridge between accuracy and comprehension in reading. Dr. Sally Shaywitz, a renowned expert in dyslexia research, emphasizes the significance of fluency for dyslexic learners. Fluent readers not only read accurately but also do so swiftly and with proper intonation. By developing fluency, children with dyslexia can enhance their overall reading abilities and better understand the written word.

Strategies for Nurturing Reading Fluency

Choose Age-Appropriate Books: Selecting books aligned with a child's interests is key to engaging their attention during reading sessions. This helps maintain motivation and enjoyment while building fluency.

Private Reading Sessions: Create a comfortable and private setting where the child can read aloud without distractions or self-consciousness. This allows them to focus on their reading without feeling judged or pressured.

Reading Pattern Observation: Pay close attention to the child's reading pattern. Are there pauses unrelated to the text's meaning? Do they struggle with pronouncing words correctly? Identifying these patterns can help pinpoint areas that need improvement.

Regular Practice: Encourage daily reading aloud from connected texts, stories, or books. Consistency is key to building fluency over time. Start with shorter passages and gradually increase the complexity and length of the readings.

Modeling and Guided Reading: Take turns reading with the child, providing a model for fluent reading. Use strategies such as echo reading, where the child repeats after you, or choral reading, where you read together.

Provide Feedback:

Offer constructive feedback on pronunciation, intonation, and pacing. Celebrate progress and provide gentle guidance for areas that need improvement.

Encourage Expression:

Help children develop prosody by emphasizing expression while reading. Encourage them to vary their tone, pitch, and volume to reflect different characters' emotions or convey the story's meaning effectively.

Use Assistive Technology:

Incorporate assistive technology tools such as text-to-speech software or audiobooks to support dyslexic learners in their reading journey.

Conclusion

Nurturing reading fluency in children with dyslexia is a gradual process that requires time, practice, and patience. By focusing on building fluency through regular reading aloud sessions and employing effective strategies, we can empower dyslexic learners to become proficient readers.

Remember, it's not about quick fixes but about providing continuous support and encouragement on their unique reading journey. Together, we can help children with dyslexia unlock their full potential and embrace the joy of reading!

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Episode 23: 1 in 5 Kids Are Dyslexic: Why Most Are Never Identified

By Nicole Armstrong • July 30, 2025

In this special episode of Voices of Dyslexia , Dr. Laura Cassidy, founder of the Dyslexia Resource Center and Louisiana Key Academy (LKA), takes a deep dive into the purpose, science, and urgent need for schools like LKA. While previous episodes have introduced listeners to the people behind the school, this episode focuses on why the school exists and what makes its mission so critical.

Episode 22: Understanding Literacy Screeners for Dyslexia: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know

By Nicole Armstrong • July 24, 2025

When a child struggles to read, the reason isn’t always obvious. Sometimes, even parents and teachers can’t quite pinpoint why . That’s why early literacy screeners, especially those that can identify dyslexia are so critical. In this episode of the Voices of Dyslexia podcast, Dr. Laura Cassidy of the Dyslexia Resource Center dives deep into how literacy screeners work, what they’re really assessing, and how parents and educators can use this information to change a child’s educational trajectory.

Episode 21: Why Reading Out Loud Matters for Dyslexic Students

By Nicole Armstrong • May 21, 2025

Reading out loud can be one of the most intimidating tasks for a dyslexic child—and one of the most avoided. But according to Dr. Laura Cassidy, Board Chair of the Dyslexia Resource Center and Louisiana Key Academy, it’s also one of the most important. In our most recent episode, Dr. Cassidy dives into why this practice, though often frustrating, plays a critical role in helping children with dyslexia improve their reading skills.

Episode 20: The Importance of Dyslexia Testing

By Nicole Armstrong • March 18, 2025

In this third and final episode of our interview series with Dr. Laura Cassidy and Drs. Sally and Bennett Shaywitz, we dive deep into the importance of proper dyslexia testing, the distinction between screening and diagnostic assessments, and why early identification can change the trajectory of a child’s life.