Reading fluency is the ability to read with accuracy, appropriate speed, and expression. A fluent reader doesn’t just decode words correctly, they read smoothly and with understanding. Research consistently shows that fluency is a bridge between word recognition and comprehension. If a child struggles to decode words, their mental energy is spent on sounding out instead of understanding what they read (National Reading Panel, 2000).  Fluent readers are more likely to enjoy reading, engage with texts deeply, and develop stronger vocabulary and knowledge across subjects, and we all know the research about his on future life chances for children.  Poor fluency, on the other hand, can become a barrier to learning across the curriculum.

Fluency doesn’t happen overnight—it develops through repeated practice with meaningful texts and structured support. Here’s a few tried and tested strategies that when used consistently support fluency:

• Daily Reading Practice: Children need to read every day. Short, frequent reading sessions are often more effective than occasional long ones.
• Rereading Familiar Texts: Repetition helps build automaticity. When children reread books they know, their reading becomes more fluent and expressive.
• Echo Reading and Paired Reading: In echo reading, an adult reads a sentence or paragraph aloud, and the child echoes it back. In paired reading, adult and child read together, which helps the child hear fluent phrasing and develop confidence.
• Listening to Fluent Reading: Audiobooks or adult read-alouds model intonation, pace, and rhythm, which children naturally begin to mimic.
• Talking About Books: Engaging in discussion after reading helps deepen comprehension and gives children a reason to read thoughtfully.

There is a growing market for costly fluency programs and reading schemes promising accelerated results. However, research does not support the necessity of expensive programs to achieve fluency. What matters most is consistent, guided practice with accessible texts. High-quality, ordinary books (picture books, early readers, chapter books) can be just as effective—if not more so—than expensive fluency packs. Many commercial schemes over-focus on technical speed or artificial scripts that reduce reading to a mechanical task rather than an engaging and meaningful experience.  In fact, over-reliance on rigid fluency programs can undermine a child’s motivation and enjoyment of reading. What we want is not just fast readers, but thoughtful, engaged readers who understand what they read.

My Top Practical Tips to Support Fluency Development

1. Choose ‘Just Right’ Books
   Select texts that are not too hard—children should be able to read most words accurately.  If there are too many unknown words on a page, the book may be too challenging for independent reading.
2. Encourage Repeated Reading
   Let children reread their favorite stories. Repetition improves confidence, word recognition, and expression.
3. Model and Echo
   Read aloud to children often. Let them follow along with the text. Then, invite them to echo your reading. This builds rhythm, phrasing, and intonation.  Show them what fluent reading looks like.
4. Focus on Expression, Not Speed
   Fluency is not about racing through text. Use punctuation as a guide. Ask children to “read it like a storyteller” or “make it sound like the character.”
5. Celebrate Progress
   Avoid measuring reading with timers. Instead, notice improvements: “You sounded really smooth that time!” or “You read that with great expression!”
6. Integrate Reading into Everyday Life
   Fluency practice doesn’t have to be formal. Reading menus, signs, instructions, or letters all counts.

Reading fluency is vital, but it does not require a financial investment in expensive schemes or specialist books. What it needs is time, consistency, and engagement with texts that children enjoy. With encouragement, repeated exposure, and a focus on meaningful reading experiences, every child can become a fluent reader using the books and resources most families and schools already have.  If you would like to learn more about fluency and the research around fluency development, then our new DFE accredited course started next academic year will be perfect for you.  Contact us at englishhub@roadeprimary.org to secure a place or to find out more information. Don’t forget that ALL of our courses and ALL of our support are completely free for teachers and schools.