How to Choose the Best Books and Magazines for Your Child’s Reading Level?

You have been working with your child on their alphabet ever since they could talk. As you begin to notice them picking out letters and memorizing the Words in a book, it is time to start developing their reading skills. Of course, you should also be able to help them choose the right books and magazines as they improve their reading skills.

A child that is five years old or younger or is reading at a preschool level is considered an emergent reader. Books for emergent readers are typically less than eight pages long. The books are still primarily picture books with a few simple sentences on each page. The stories usually include familiar objects or actions that grab a child’s interest. These books tend to be predictable and have a pattern of events. Books that are popular and appropriate for this age group are board books and fabric books. Picture books are also appropriate for emergent readers. If a parent is looking for magazines, the company US Kids has a series for each reading level. The magazine for preschoolers is called Turtle Magazine and is meant for children ages 3-5.

The next step in reading levels, typically achieved in grades K-3, is when a child is considered an early reader. Early readers continue to need short books with patterns. However, they can now handle some more complex sentences and ideas. The books need to have large print and multiple picture clues. A common element of books for early readers are humor and rhyming schemes. There are many students who, as early as 1st grade, are ready for longer books, up to 48 pages. At this level, some children are ready for books with short chapters. Each chapter will have pictures continuously throughout.

As children reach the upper elementary and middle school years, they become independent readers. At this point the children should be choosing their own books. That does not mean parents can’t help guide them in the right direction. This age group has a wide variety of abilities and vocabulary levels. The size of the text, the numbers of pages, and the amount of pictures also vary significantly. Even at this stage it is a good idea to continue reading aloud with children. There will be several silly books with new Words, which will help your child learn new vocabulary and continue to improve.