Read for 10 minutes for Success

I just saw this online and had to repost it. I have always held this view, so it was great to see it validated. Years ago, when I was researching effective study habits, I came across a similar strategy. It suggested short bursts of study rather than long or all-nighters. It had compelling data that we tended to remember the first 10-15 minutes of study and the last 10-15 minutes. Most of the middle was lost. I used it myself, studying for a half hour or so and then taking a break to do more a little later. This article supports that just a few minutes of reading at a time are much more effective in building fluency and comprehension. All of this adds up to children who enjoy reading. If they enjoy it, they will do more on their own. The more you read, the better you get. A win-win!

• This is from Classroom Companions

  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  Why Short Bursts of Reading Might Be More Effective?

  If you've been spending long, focused sessions trying to improve your child's reading, here's something that might surprise you—short bursts of reading practice may actually be more effective. Recent research from the National Institute of Child Health and Human 

  Development shows that 10-15 minutes of focused reading is often more beneficial than extended sessions. When kids practice reading in shorter, consistent bursts, they absorb information more effectively and feel less overwhelmed.

  Here's why it works: Short reading sessions help maintain focus and enthusiasm. Kids feel successful as they finish a passage or a few pages without getting mentally tired, which helps boost confidence. The brain processes language faster when it's fresh, so short sessions keep them engaged and make reading something they look forward to rather than endure.

  Here's a tip to try today: Set a timer for 10 minutes and dive into a fun, engaging book. When the timer goes off, end the session on a positive note. They'll be excited to come back for the next session—and you'll see how quickly those minutes add up to better fluency and comprehension!

  Did you know? Children who read in short sessions consistently score higher on fluency tests because they're building endurance and comprehension skills without the fatigue that longer sessions can bring.

  Reading tip: Combine these short sessions with follow-up questions. Ask, “What do you think will happen next?” or “Why did that character act that way?” These questions encourage them to think about the story and keep them engaged with what's happening.

  So next time you sit down to read, remember: less can be more! Watch their reading fluency grow with these focused, manageable bursts of practice.

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