Books come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and reading levels. With so many to choose from, how can you find the right book for your child?
While board books with lots of pictures are great for babies and toddlers, it’s a good idea to consider your child’s reading level when finding books that appeal to little ones learning to read.
An easy way to figure out if the book you chose will be a good fit for your budding reader is to use the “Five-Finger Rule.” The Five-Finger Rule helps determine if a book is too easy or too difficult.
Take a look at the Five-Finger Rule to determine which book is just the right fit for your child:
How the Five-Finger Rule Works
Visit your local library or bookstore with your child and have them pick out a book they’re interested in.
Once your child has chosen a book, ask them to open it to any page and read as best they can. From there, tell them to count how many words she does not know on their fingers or count for them.
| Fingers Up | What It Means | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 fingers | Too easy | Great for building confidence or practicing fluency, but maybe not challenging enough to grow their reading skills. |
| 2–3 fingers | Just right | This is the sweet spot. These books have enough challenging words, but not so many that it’s frustrating. |
| 4 fingers | A little hard | OK if your child is interested and you’re reading together, but it might be tricky for solo reading. |
| 5+ fingers | Too hard | This book is probably best saved for later or when reading together for enjoyment rather than independent practice. |
Once you and your child choose a book, find a time that you can both sit down together and read aloud. If your little one is just learning to read, they may need help figuring out the words they don’t already know.
Why the Five-Finger Rule Works for Young Readers
The Five-Finger Rule gives kids an active role in choosing their books, helping them feel empowered and excited about reading.
For children, especially those between newborn and age 5, the right book can make all the difference. Books that are too challenging can discourage early readers, while books that are too simple might not help them grow their skills.
Reading books that are appropriate for your child’s reading level will help your little one build confidence and expand vocabulary. It also helps practice what she is learning in school and will set them on a track for success later in life.
How to Support Your Child if a Book Is Difficult
If your child falls in love with a book that’s at a 5 or above their reading level, don’t just say “no.” Instead, turn it into a shared experience.
Read Together
Difficult books can be a great learning opportunity for your child. Read the book with them and help strengthen their reading and language skills.
If the book is a bit of a stretch for them but not totally out of reach, help them sound out the words.
- Look at similar words and show them which letters are the same and which ones are different. Do they have the same sounds or different?
- If your child can read the other words in the sentence or see pictures and illustrations, ask them to figure out which word would make sense. Context clues can help them decipher words!
Read to Them
If you find that the book you picked is too difficult, don’t fret! Instead of having your child read it, become the storyteller yourself.
- Allow your little one to try reading certain pages if they’re interested.
- Offer encouraging words, such as, “With a little practice, you’ll be reading this book in no time!”
Save the Book for Later
If you don’t have time to read a challenging or higher-level book with your little one at the moment, it’s ok to save the book for another time. It’s important to respect their independence and not discourage them.
Here’s a good script you can use in busy moments to encourage independent reading: “This looks like a great book for us to save. Let’s choose a different book to work on now and read this book later in the year.”
This is also a great approach if you’re afraid the book’s content or themes are a little too mature for your child at the moment.
Tips for Using the Five-Finger Rule with Little Ones
By making book selection a fun, shared activity, you’ll set your child up for a lifetime of joyful reading.
Even if your child isn’t reading independently yet, you can still use the rule. Give them autonomy to pick the book they like and let them “read” by looking at pictures and pointing out words or letters they recognize.
Encourage “Stretch” Books
Don’t shy away from more challenging books in the 3+ finger range, especially when you’re reading together. These “stretch” books expose your child to richer vocabulary and more complex sentences, with you there to offer support as needed.
Follow Their Interests
Whether it’s dinosaurs, trucks, princesses, or animals, choosing books about topics your child loves will keep them interested and foster a love of reading. They’ll enjoy looking at the pictures and may even be able to pick up on additional context clues.
Make It Playful
Treat the Five-Finger Rule like a game and keep it light. Make them hold up their fingers and cheer them on as they’re reading. That way, they won’t get discouraged or upset because they can’t get a book they’re interested in.
Build Your Child’s Reading Skills
Reading is so important for youngsters, starting from day one. It supports all areas of development, from speech and language skills to social and emotional development.
We love helping parents encourage a love of reading in their little ones. Check out these reading resources and tips from the early childhood experts at Penfield Children’s Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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