I embarked on my teaching journey as a first-grade educator, and one of my primary objectives was to impart the skill of reading to my students. This, as many teachers can attest, is akin to solving a complex puzzle. There are myriad pieces that need to fit together seamlessly for children to become proficient readers. Fortunately, with the advent of Google Play Books Reading Practice, technology has provided us with an invaluable tool embedded in thousands of children’s ebooks to enhance young readers’ vocabulary and comprehension skills.
If you’re apprehensive about increased screen time or the use of technological tools to assist your child in becoming a more adept reader, it’s reassuring to know that Google Play is committed to creating products and services with families in mind. Their dedication to aiding children in their learning journey and exploration of the possibilities technology offers, while ensuring safety, is commendable. Google Play equips parents with the tools and flexibility needed to foster their children’s love for reading and cultivate healthy, positive digital habits together.
About Google Play Books Reading Practice
Designed specifically for early readers, Reading Practice is an embedded tool found in thousands of compatible children’s ebooks, including free options, available on Play Books. This tool offers substantial support to budding and emerging readers, empowering them to improve their vocabulary and comprehension skills using their smartphones and/or tablets.
Supporting Emerging Readers with Google Play Books Reading Practice
Reading Practice leverages the microphone on digital devices to allow children to read a text aloud. As they do so, they can watch as the tracker highlights each word they read. This reinforces the one-to-one correspondence between words on the page and spoken words, a fundamental skill in reading.
Additionally, Reading Practice enables children to revisit and practice words they may have skipped or mispronounced at the end of a page. This real-time feedback mechanism supports young readers on their literacy journey and boosts their confidence in reading.
For more proficient readers encountering unfamiliar words, the Reading Practice feature can assist by pronouncing the word, breaking it down into syllables, or providing a child-friendly definition. This aids in expanding their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension skills.
Key Features of Google Play Books Reading Practice
- Track Reading Position: The text is highlighted as children read aloud, allowing them to easily track their progress in the book and focus on the next word.
- Hear a Word: If they encounter a word they’re unsure how to pronounce, a simple tap lets them hear its correct pronunciation.
- Sound It Out: With a quick tap, they can listen to a word broken down into syllables.
- Hear a Sentence: For added context, young readers can listen to an entire sentence.
- Define a Word: Tapping a word provides a child-friendly definition, encouraging a deeper understanding.
- Set a New Reading Position: They can update their reading position by tapping any word, starting from there.
- Practice Challenging Words: At the end of a page, they have the option to practice any words they may have skipped or mispronounced.
How to Access Google Play Books with Reading Practice
Reading Practice is currently available on the Google Play Books Android app and within Google Kids Space.
To begin using Reading Practice, you can explore a curated collection of kid-friendly reads on Google Play Books, some of which are offered at no charge. There’s also a vast selection of English language books tailored for younger readers, with the majority of these titles featuring Reading Practice, indicated by a “Practice” badge on the book detail page.
For a more focused search, you can utilize the “Reading Practice” filter in Google Play Books, narrowing down your store or library searches to ebooks that specifically offer this feature.
If you need further assistance, you can visit the Google Play Help Center to gain a deeper understanding of Reading Practice and how it can benefit new and aspiring readers in your life.
