READING WITH CHILDREN

 

The one comment I hear most often from parents is -- “I want my child to love to read. 
But how do I help make it happen?”

Here’s the best answer I have...

READ ALOUD with your child! 

Notice I said “with” them.  Involve your child in story time. As you read...Ask
what will happen next?

Search for clues to the story in the art of a picture book.

Explain unfamiliar words or look them up together and make a point of using
them in everyday language.

When reading a story that is predictable or one that your child has heard
before, stop at key words and let your child fill in the word. Hearing a story
read aloud by someone who is important in their life, inspires a child to
want to read on their own. But don’t let your child’s growing ability to read
discourage you from reading with them.

TIPS FOR READING ALOUD

Reading Aloud doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but it is a skill
worth learning.

Here are some tips for successful Reading Aloud.

• Set aside a predictable time each day for reading a story.
• Be sure you and your listeners are comfortable.
• Read the book ahead of time to allow yourself to become familiar
  with the words and story line.
• Read slowly enough to allow the listener to see the pictures or for a
  mental image of the action.
• Read with expression: Vary your tone - lowering your voice during
  suspenseful parts draws your listeners into the story.
• Alter your reading pace:  Is the character thoughtful, excited,
  worried?
• Be adventurous - use different voices for each character.
• Answer questions or discuss thoughts and feelings inspired
  by the story.
• Choose books you enjoy because you will be reading them often.
• Read stories that are beyond your child’s current reading level. 
• It’s not only a great way to build the desire in your child to keep
  growing as a reader, but it also will help your child develop a
  strong vocabulary long before they can actually read the words.

LISTENING FOR LANGUAGE

Imagine how much easier it would be to learn
to read and spell the word “catastrophe” if it
was already familiar because you’d heard it,
and used it. 

Your child wasn’t born with a vocabulary; he
or she learned to speak by hearing the
language repeated.  Is it any wonder, then,
that your child loves to hear the same story

night after night until they can repeat it from
memory?

Start a reading tradition for your child.  
Check out MY FAVORITE BOOKS for Read Aloud Suggestions.