Reading fluency is one of the most important skills your child needs to become a confident and capable reader. In fact, this reading skill plays a key role in how well children understand and enjoy what they read. Best of all, reading fluency is something parents and caregivers can teach at home!
To help you boost your child’s fluency, our literacy specialists will explain what fluency is (including oral fluency), why it matters, common challenges, and how to recognize if your child is struggling. We’ll also share practical tips, fun activities, and where to find reading fluency passages to help support their progress.
So, let’s get into it! Here’s everything you need to know about reading fluency and how to improve your child’s fluency skills at home.
Table of Contents:
At what age should children read fluently?
How to Measure Reading Fluency
Signs Your Child May Be Struggling
What is reading fluency, exactly?
You’ve probably heard teachers or reading specialists talk about reading fluency before, but what is it, exactly? Here’s a quick and simple definition.
Reading Fluency Defined: The ability to read smoothly, accurately, and at a natural pace. Fluent readers can recognize words automatically, move through sentences easily, and read with expression — all while understanding what they’re reading.
As a parent or caregiver trying to improve your child’s reading skills at home, there are three main components of reading fluency that you should be aware of. Let’s take a look.
The 3 Key Components of Reading Fluency
Literacy experts typically break down fluency into these three core components:
- Accuracy – reading words correctly
- Rate (or speed) – reading at a natural, steady pace
- Prosody – reading with expression, proper tone, and attention to punctuation
When these three elements come together, reading sounds more like natural speech. As a result, children have an easier time understanding what they’re reading.
Now, before we discuss why fluency in reading is so important, let’s quickly talk about oral reading fluency and how it differs from fluency in general.
Reading Fluency vs Oral Reading Fluency
You may have heard the term “oral reading fluency,” especially when it comes to reading assessments or school reports. But what is oral fluency, and how is it different from reading fluency in general?
“Reading fluency” and “oral reading fluency” mean nearly the same thing. However, there is a slight difference between the two terms. That is, reading fluency refers to the general ability to read accurately, quickly, and with proper expression — whether silently or aloud. On the other hand, oral reading fluency focuses specifically on reading out loud with accuracy, speed, and expression.
Most fluency assessments focus on oral fluency because listening to a child read aloud makes it easier to observe their pace, accuracy, and expression in real-time.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In this article, we use the terms “reading fluency” and “oral reading fluency” interchangeably.
Now, let’s explore why fluency matters.
Why is reading fluency important?
Reading fluency is important because it helps children progress from simply recognizing words to truly understanding what they’re reading. In other words, reading fluency is essential for reading comprehension.
But why is fluency important to reading comprehension? When a child can read fluently, they no longer need to stop and sound out every word. Instead, they can focus on understanding the meaning behind the text. This ability to shift their focus from decoding to thinking about meaning results in better comprehension.
Want to improve your child’s reading comprehension? Check out these reading comprehension activities.
Fluent readers are also more confident readers and better learners. When reading feels smooth and natural, children are more likely to read aloud in class, participate in discussions, and choose to read for fun.
Beyond reading, fluency supports academic success in all areas. That’s because children rely on strong reading fluency to keep up with classroom tasks — from reading a word problem in math to exploring a passage in science class. Therefore, fluency can positively impact your child’s academic success and overall attitude toward learning.
As you can see, helping your child develop fluency isn’t just about improving reading speed — it’s about improving reading comprehension and promoting a love of learning.
What age should a child read fluently?
Research indicates that most children begin to develop reading fluency between the ages of 6 and 8 (early elementary school/primary education). By the end of first grade, most children should be able to read grade-level books aloud with accuracy, appropriate speed, and expression.
That said, every child develops at their own pace! Some may become fluent readers earlier, while others may need more time and support. So, if your child cannot yet read fluently, don’t worry. Below, we’ll discuss ways that you can help your child improve their reading fluency.
Learn more about reading milestones here: When Do Kids Learn To Read?
Common Challenges of Oral Reading Fluency
Many children struggle with oral reading fluency when they learn to read. Here are some of the most common challenges.
- Choppy or slow reading - children may pause often, read word by word, or have trouble finding a natural rhythm.
- Struggling with word recognition - if a child doesn’t recognize common or high-frequency words, they may need to stop and sound them out, which interrupts fluency.
- Inefficient or inaccurate decoding of unfamiliar words - some children take a long time to sound out new words or guess incorrectly, which affects both speed and understanding.
- Lack of expression when reading out loud - some children may read in a flat tone or ignore punctuation. This often happens when they’re focused mainly on decoding and not yet thinking about how the text should sound.
- Low reading confidence - nervousness or past struggles can make kids hesitant to read aloud, causing more mistakes or reluctance to practice.
- Lack of motivation or engagement - if a child isn’t interested in a book or topic, they may rush through, lose focus, or avoid reading altogether, which slows reading fluency development.
- Learning in a second language - multilingual learners may also struggle with fluency due to unfamiliar vocabulary, sentence structures, or pronunciation challenges.
These issues are a normal part of learning to read. With patience, encouragement, and the right strategies, most children can overcome fluency challenges to become more confident readers.
Now, before we jump into our tips for improving fluency at home, let’s first look at how you can measure your child’s fluency.
How to Measure Reading Fluency
Educators often use oral fluency assessments to determine how well children read with accuracy, speed, and expression. One of the most widely used methods is called a one-minute oral reading fluency assessment. This simple test focuses on reading rate and accuracy by measuring “Words Correct Per Minute” (WCPM) - a reliable, research-backed way to track progress over time (Hasbrouck & Tindal, 2006).
To measure your child’s fluency, you can do the one-minute reading test at home! You won’t need any special tools — just a short passage, a timer, and something to take notes with.
Here’s how to do it:
- Choose a short, unfamiliar grade-level passage (about 100–200 words). This could be a book, a school handout, or a reading fluency passage from a trusted resource.
- Ask your child to read the passage aloud for one minute.
- Mark down any errors your child makes as they read. Errors include skipped words, misread words, or words your child sounded out incorrectly. Self-corrections do not count as errors.
- At the end of one minute, count the total number of words your child read, then subtract the number of errors. This gives you their Words Correct Per Minute (WCPM) score.
Here’s a quick overview of the calculation.
Words Correct Per Minute (WCPM) = Total Words Read - Errors
Fluency Benchmarks
To determine how well your child did, you’ll need to compare their WCPM score to fluency benchmarks.
Here are some examples of oral reading fluency norms by grade.
- Grade 1 (50th percentile): 23 to 53 WCPM
- Grade 2 (50th percentile): 51 to 89 WCPM
- Grade 3 (50th percentile): 71 to 107 WCPM
- Grade 4 (50th percentile): 94 to 123 WCPM
- Grade 5 (50th percentile): 110 to 139 WCPM
- Grade 6 (50th percentile): 127 to 150 WCPM
- Grade 7 (50th percentile): 128 to 150 WCPM
- Grade 8 (50th percentile): 133 to 151 WCPM
For a complete look at the National (U.S.) Oral Reading Fluency Norms, determined by Hasbrouck & Tindal, check out this PDF.
Measuring Reading Prosody (Expression)
If you'd like to include expression and phrasing (prosody) in your assessment, listen for whether your child reads with natural rhythm, uses the right tone, and pauses at punctuation. While this part is more subjective, it still gives you helpful insight into your child's overall fluency.
How to Measure Improvements in Reading Fluency
To determine whether your child is improving their reading speed and accuracy, repeat the above process on another day with a different unpracticed passage. If they have a higher WCPM score, they’re improving!
Signs Your Child May Be Struggling With Reading Fluency
If your child displays any of the following, it’s a likely sign that they’re struggling with reading fluency — or possibly other foundational reading skills.
- Your child’s Words Correct Per Minute (WCPM) score is below grade level.
- They get frustrated or anxious when reading out loud.
- They say things like “I hate reading” or “Reading is stupid!”
- They take a long time to read short passages.
- They read aloud without expression and ignore punctuation.
- They often lose their place when reading or skip lines of text.
- They move their mouth when reading silently (also called subvocalizing).
How to Improve Reading Fluency at Home - 9 Tips for Parents
You don’t need special training or materials to help your child become a more fluent reader! Small, simple strategies can make a big difference over time.
Here are some practical ways to help your child improve reading fluency at home.
Tip #1: Read aloud together.
Hearing fluent reading helps children understand what good reading sounds like. So, model fluent reading by reading a book out loud to your child. Use expression, appropriate pacing, and natural pauses.
Tip #2: Make reading part of your child’s daily routine.
The key to improving reading fluency at home is consistency. Set aside dedicated time each day for reading — even 10 to 15 minutes can have a big impact!
PRO TIP: Downloading a kids reading app like Booka is a great way to provide your child with a ton of reading material! Best of all, top apps like Booka include advanced features, like personalized reading suggestions, so your child can easily find stories that they’ll love (and that will keep them engaged).
Tip #3: Have your child re-read familiar stories.
Repetition can also help build fluency. Encourage your child to read their favorite stories more than once. Each re-read allows them to improve accuracy, speed, and expression.
Tip #4: Use read along books for kids.
Read-along books allow children to follow along as they listen to a fluent reader. This supports skills like visual word recognition and natural pacing.
PRO TIP: Look for books with professional narration to boost engagement.
Tip #5: Try echo reading.
Here’s how echo reading works: you read a sentence or short passage first. Then, have your child read it back to you, mimicking your pace and expression. This helps them build confidence and practice reading fluency in a low-pressure way.
Tip #6: Practice high frequency words and sight words.
High frequency and sight words appear often in written text. Therefore, the quicker your child can recognize these words, the smoother their reading will be.
Try high-frequency and sight word games and activities to help your child practice these words at home.
Tip #7: Use reading fluency games.
Games and activities are a great way to build fluency without it feeling like work. Check out our list of fun, easy-to-play games below, and turn everyday reading practice into something your child will look forward to!
Tip #8: Choose just right books.
Matching reading materials to your child’s reading level and interests is important. When kids read stories with characters and topics they’re interested in and that aren’t too difficult or easy for them (i.e., just right books), they’re more likely to stay engaged and motivated to keep practicing!
Tip #9: Celebrate progress, not perfection.
A positive attitude toward reading and learning can make a big difference in helping your child improve their fluency. Celebrate every improvement — even the small ones — to keep them motivated and proud of their progress.
Remember, improving fluency doesn’t happen overnight. But with regular practice, patience, support, and encouragement, your child can develop the confidence and skills needed to become a stronger, more fluent reader!
Fun Reading Fluency Games to Try at Home
One of the best ways to build fluency is through play! Reading fluency activities and games keep kids engaged and make practice feel less like homework and more like fun.
Here are a few simple reading fluency games you can try at home with little to no preparation.
Speed Reading Challenge
Choose a short passage or sentence. Set a one-minute timer and see how many words your child can read correctly (using the Words Correct Per Minute calculation above). Try again later in the week and see if they can beat their previous score!
Reading Fluency Tic-Tac-Toe
Create a 3 by 3 grid and write a fluency task in each box. Examples of tasks might be — “read with a silly voice,” “read a sentence in a whisper,” or “read two sentences without stopping.” When someone completes a task during their turn, they can place an X or O on the board. The first to get three of their marks in a row wins!
Roll & Read
Write short sentences or phrases on a sheet of paper and number them 1 to 6. Have your child roll a die, then read the matching sentence aloud.
LEVEL UP: You can increase the challenge by timing them or asking them to read the sentence with expression.
Reader’s Theater
Pick a short script or story and assign parts. Read your parts out loud with dramatic flair! This encourages expression, proper phrasing, and confidence in a fun and playful way.
Playing the games above with your child for just a few minutes each day can help improve their fluency. Best of all, your child will be having fun while they learn!
Where to Find Reading Fluency Passages
Whether you want reading passages to conduct a one-minute reading fluency assessment or just for your child to practice, having the right reading materials is key!
The best passages for fluency assessment and practice are short, age-appropriate, and just challenging enough to keep your child engaged without causing frustration.
Here are a few places where you can find quality reading passages to use at home.
- Resources from your child’s school or teacher - many teachers provide take-home reading passages or can recommend leveled texts for fluency practice. Don’t hesitate to ask your child’s teacher for suggestions that match their reading level.
- Reading apps for kids - downloading a reading app like Booka is one of the fastest and easiest ways to find reading fluency passages. Booka offers a wide selection of stories for kids of all ages and reading levels.
- Online resources - reputable online sources like RIF (Reading Is Fundamental), a U.S. nonprofit organization promoting literacy, offer access to leveled reading passages that are great for one-minute reading assessments or repeated reading practice.
- Books you have at home - your child can also use their favorite books at home for fluency work. Try selecting a short paragraph (or page) and practicing it together using one of the strategies mentioned above.
Whichever source you use to find reading passages, the key is finding ‘just right’ text that your child enjoys.
Improve Reading Fluency with Booka
Looking for an easy way to support your child’s fluency at home? Booka is here to help!
Booka is a kids' reading app designed to make reading fun, engaging, and effective. With a growing library of level-appropriate stories, built-in read-along features, and personalized book suggestions, Booka gives your child the tools they need to become a more fluent reader — right from your phone or tablet.
Download Booka today and make reading fluency practice part of your child’s everyday routine.