Finding our reading way: a choice and observation sheet

Free resource. Print this page or copy the prompts into your own notebook or document. The spaces below are for your own notes, not an online form.

Use this together without asking your child to rate their ability. They can draw, point to choices or tell you their answers.

Stories and information I enjoy

• A subject, character or joke I like: ____________________
• Something I enjoy listening to: ____________________
• A book, comic or other format I would try: ____________________
• Somewhere comfortable to share it: ____________________

How we could read together

Choose one idea:

• An adult reads and I listen.
• We take characters or short turns.
• I join in with one repeated line.
• We look at pictures and talk about them.
• Our own idea: ____________________

Keep school practice clear

• The skill school has asked us to practise: ____________________
• The approach the teacher recommends: ____________________
• What to do when it becomes difficult: ____________________

Example question for school: “They enjoy listening but become upset when sounding out unfamiliar words. What would you like us to do at that point?”

Notice three shared moments

• What we chose and one thing that helped: ____________________
• What we chose and one thing that helped: ____________________
• What we chose and one thing that helped: ____________________

Our next choice

• Something we want to repeat: ____________________
• Something we want to change: ____________________
• A question or observation for the teacher: ____________________

There is no requirement to finish every book. Keep this as a way to learn about your child’s experience, not a record of failures. Ask for support when reading remains difficult or distressing.

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For ideas to use alongside this resource, read When your child does not want to read: finding a way back to stories.