Stages of Reading: The Competent Reader


© Heather Goldsmith
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Dec 22, 2001


By this stage your child will be well and truly able to read alone. They are capable of reading short novels, but may well prefer picture books for a long while still. This will depend on the child and their interests. They should enjoy and anticipate the completion of their choice of reading material. You will find their willingness to discuss the outcome of these stories a natural part of their conversation. Speed and ability will differ in this stage. It should also be considered a continuing period of reading growth for your child.

They may also go through a time of appearing to hold no interest in books and reading. This is also the stage where interest may dramatically drop off. For reasons still largely unknown this is a problem greater for boys than girls. Often there is no call for concern. You might like to view it as backpedalling on a bicycle. They will still be going forward but with what appears to be the wrong kind of focus or effort. They are in essence cruising or regrouping. There has been a tremendous focus on acquiring the skills for reading and your child might need a little breathing space.

If you continue the established routine of reading together, showing no alarm if they want to do less of the actual reading for a while, and other activities suggested in previous articles, they will eventually pick up the ball again. It may be more at their own pace and level of interest, but they should be given some room to establish this themselves. But your continued commitment to show the value of reading can only help. They may still struggle to identify or understand the meaning of many words. For this reason you are still important in their reading progress. While it may be tempting to let established habits slide right now, your child needs you more than ever to carry them through this stage onto fully independent reading.

Allow them to read old favourites over and over, or to goof off a little with comics or magazines during this stage. If they complain of reading boredom, nudge them into previously unexplored genres. Attempt a classic adult novel. Try them on poetry or non-fiction for a while. Encourage them to rediscover the library and be open to whatever they select for their own reading pleasure. Allow them to discover what they love to read. It’s a good time to develop a greater range of reading interest. They may surprise you with their interest in newspapers, current affairs or even politics.

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages
2.   Dec 23, 2001 3:13 AM
In response to message posted by eurocrat_au:

Hi Adelaide,
Thanks for your imput. I love to hear what other readers have to add ...

-- posted by bwheather
1.   Dec 23, 2001 2:35 AM
I didn't know that there were such things...it's good to share books with your parents and friends, and if you're not able to do so, you feel pretty unhappy. Especially if reading is a big part of you ...

-- posted by eurocrat_au



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