Reading Fluency Practice
To develop reading fluency beyond word-by-word decoding towards natural, expressive reading.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Literacy
- Learning area: Literacy
- Level: EYFS Reception
Objectives
- Reads familiar texts with increasing fluency
- Uses expression when reading
- Reads in phrases not word-by-word
- Self-corrects for flow
Materials
- Previously decoded texts
- Fluency practice strips
- Audio recordings of fluent reading
- Performance space
Instructions
After a child has successfully decoded a text, revisit it for fluency practice: 'You can read all the words now — brilliant! Let's practise reading it smoothly, like talking. Not... one... word... at... a... time... but like this: 'The cat sat on the mat.''
Model fluent reading explicitly: 'Listen to me read it smoothly: The cat sat on the mat. Now you try — make it sound like talking.' Point out the difference between word-by-word and fluent reading.
Use fluency practice strips — short sentences on card strips. Children read each strip three times: first for accuracy, second for speed, third for expression.
Record children reading. Play it back: 'Listen to yourself! You sounded so smooth that time!' Self-hearing is a powerful feedback mechanism.
Pair children for 'reading buddy' fluency practice. Partner A reads while Partner B follows along. Then swap. Peer reading is less pressured than adult-child reading.
Celebrate fluent reading: 'That sounded just like a real reader telling a story! Your voice went up at the question mark — brilliant!' Specific praise drives specific improvement.