Reading with Your Child

 

Before you read:

  • Show the cover of the book.
  • Read the title.
  • Cover the words and take a picture walk guessing at the story.
  • Discuss the illustrations on the cover.
  • Encourage predictions (What do you think will happen?)
  • Find/discuss difficult words within the book.
  • Discuss vocabulary words in the story.
  • Give a brief summary of what the book may be about.


While you are reading:

  • Read in an expressive voice.
  • Allow your child the chance to sound out words or look for
    small words inside of larger words.
  • If your child does not understand… Have them read it again!
  • Invite your child to join in on repetitive phrases.
  • Stop and Check (See if they know what they just read)
  • Stop at appropriate points in the book and encourage predictions.
  • Try to connect what you are reading to another book or an experience you had.


After you read:

  • Discuss the story. (Ask questions such as: What was your favorite part of the story? What was the problem in the story? How was the problem solved?
  • Link events in the story with your child's own experiences.
  • Engage your child in activities which build on or extend the story. For example: Have your child draw a picture to illustrate his/her favorite part of the story.
  • Ask your child to restate what happened in the beginning, middle, or end.
  • Discuss other possible endings. Such as: What if…this happened or didn't happen?
  • Find out the characters, setting, and plot.