I’m sure we don’t have to tell you that Halloween is rapidly approaching. Today we thought we would conjure up some different thoughts on how to read with the kids. Reading together does not necessarily mean that you sit together and share a story by taking turns page after page. Today’s blog reemphasizes the importance of the parents’ role as being the “ultimate teacher” for their children. Reading together, as a family, helps to guarantee a developing young reader’s success in becoming an independent reader. Some suggestions are listed below and a detailed report can be accessed at Reading Tips for Parents, U.S. Department of Education. The strategies are simple to implement and will be significant in helping your child learn the love of reading.
- Invite your child to read with you every day.
- When reading a book where the print is large, point word by word as you read. This will help your child learn that reading goes from left to right and understand that the word said is the word seen.
- Read your child’s favorite book over and over.
- Read many stories with rhyming words and repeated lines. Invite your child to join in on these parts.
- Point, word by word, as your child reads along with you
- Discuss new words (For example, “This big house is called a palace. Who do you think lives in a palace?”)
- Ask questions about pictures and what is happening in the story.*
- Read many different types of children’s books
- Read on line
*Check out READS for many more interesting questions which promote comprehension and conversation