Developed in partnership with Education Services Australia

Use manuals

Instruction manuals may not be the most beautifully written publications, but that can make them a great way of practising advanced reading skills. So next time you need to refer to a manual, ask your child to help you, and talk to them about how to:

• read and follow step-by-step instructions
• interpret and use diagrams and symbols
• use indexes, tables of contents and headings to find the information you need
• read between the lines when the text is not clear
• use clues in pictures to clarify meaning
• decide the importance of different types of information.

Try to show them some good manuals, as well as frustrating ones, and discuss what makes the difference! (If your child has ever followed the instructions for a construction set or a building block model, talk about how they compare.)

Go online

For online reinforcement, Ready to race: wheels, jets, tyres and gears will give your child practice at:

• finding information in factual texts
• following detailed instructions
• testing conclusions and making adjustments.

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