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\nReading should challenge a child to learn without becoming too frustrating. The child should encounter new vocabulary and grammatical constructions without being overwhelmed by them. Knowing how to interpret child reading level scores helps you choose reading material that\u2019s appropriate for your child\u2019s abilities.<\/p>\n
Most child reading level scores are expressed as numerical values. For instance, a child with a 5.1 score reads at the beginning of the fifth grade, a child with a 5.5 score is at the reading level one would expect in the middle of the fifth grade, and so on.<\/p>\n
One of the most popular child reading level standards is the Lexile system, which expresses the child\u2019s score as a number between 0 and about 2000, followed by an L. The Common Core Standard\u2019s Lexile recommendations are as follows:<\/p>\n\n
Many children\u2019s books have the child reading level printed clearly on the back or the spine of the book, so if you know your own child\u2019s score, locating appropriate reading material is easy.<\/p>\n
Child reading scores are helpful, but it\u2019s always important to remember the score may not fully express your child\u2019s reading ability. Children who find tests stressful, for instance, may be capable of reading at higher levels when they\u2019re relaxed. Scores also do not factor in a child\u2019s knowledge of the book\u2019s subject; the more someone knows about a topic, the easier reading about that topic becomes.<\/p>\n
Scores also fail to account for an important consideration: motivation. As the Harry Potter phenomena demonstrated, when kids are motivated and interested in books, their reading levels can prove much higher than expected.<\/p>\n
How do you determine if a book is appropriate for your child\u2019s reading level if you don\u2019t know your child\u2019s reading score? The \u201cfive fingers\u201d method will help you decide if the child can read the material independently or require adult help.<\/p>\n
Have the child read two or three pages, raising a finger whenever he has difficulty understanding. If he only raises one finger, the book is suitable for independent reading. Two or three fingers suggests he can read the book with adult help. Four or more fingers means the reading level is too high for the child. He may enjoy having the book read to him, but he\u2019s not yet ready to tackle it on his own.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"