Reading with Later Grade-Schoolers (9+ years)
At this stage, children are typically reading independently, but are still learning a lot about language. They continue to practice using morphemes and context clues to figure out what new words mean. They are also encountering an increasing number of unfamiliar concepts which will require them to consult reference sources such as dictionaries. If they've developed the habit of reading, they will be able to read for sustained periods of time and will likely have clear preferences about the type of material they read; for example, a preference for fantasy over realistic fiction, or for non-fiction over fiction. Depending on prior reading experiences, vocabulary sizes will vary greatly. School-age children may have vocabularies approaching 9,000 words, in comparison to the average adult knows about 40,000 words but uses only about 20,000.
Types of Books to Choose
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Your child will be increasingly independent in choosing his or her own books.
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Allow your child to select books that he or she enjoys as this encourages the habit of reading for pleasure. However, also challenge your child to go beyond his or her interests and current comfort zone in reading; for example, a child might stretch himself or herself by reading longer books or more books than usual in a set period of time, or books of a different genre.
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Encourage your child to read books about different cultures and topical issues. This kind of knowledge will help to inform your child's writing.
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Children of this age may still be open to being read to, even into their early teens, especially if they have been used to read aloud experiences and appreciate the parent-child connection that is forged during these times. Read alouds at this age might include young adult classics or current bestsellers, or a modern epic such as The Lord of the Rings. They key is to select read aloud books that both you and your child can enjoy.
Tips for Reading
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Continue to develop your child's ability to talk about books in an evaluative way. Perhaps have him or her read professional book reviews as well as the better reviews on Amazon to get a sense for the language of literary critique. Additionally, they can learn to identify the aspects of an author's work (e.g., plotting and characterization for fiction, and clear organization and evidence of research for non-fiction) that make it strong or weak.
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Foster a 'book club culture' (see Sarah Mackenzie's book The Read-Aloud Family) in your home. Avoid turning home reading experiences into an extension of school. Instead of quizzing your child on facts about the book, ask open-ended questions that invite meaningful discussion. These questions can include 'Which part of the book had the most impact on you and why?' and 'Should (Character Name) have done what he or she did?'
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Have your child read aloud to you.