Tips for Reading Aloud to Your Children

March 30, 2010 at 3:59 am · Filed under RB Recommends

For those of you who are in the store often, you know I love storytime and reading and singing to your children (we hope that is one of the many reasons you come to The Bug instead of those big guys… I can’t bring myself to say the word, but I’m thinking of a website that starts with the letter “A”!).

I read a great article in Parents Magazine this weekend, all about reading to your child.  That got me thinking about some of the things I have learned from the more than 100 storytimes I have led since The Bug opened.  I hope the tips below are helpful!  For more tips, pick up Jim Trelease’s Read Aloud Handbook at The Reading Bug or on our website- www.thereadingbug.com.   You can also browse our suggested read-aloud section toward the front of the store!

Birth to 12 Months:

• Read slowly and pronounce each word, which gives children a chance to absorb the story.
• Find the rhythm – pat or clap to promote your baby’s natural sense of rhythm
• Embrace repetition.  You may notice I repeat books often during story times, which is not because there’s a lack of great books to choose from at The Reading Bug .  Rereading books builds your baby’s confidence as they begin to recognize pictures and words.

1 to 2 years old

• Be playful- make silly noises and use different voices to get your child excited about the story
• Be interactive.  If you are reading a story about a castle, get out some blocks and build a castle of your own!

3 to 4 years old

• Point to the words on the page.  As you read, run your finger along the words so your child will begin to realize the sounds you make come from the letters you read.
• Ask questions.  Often times when I’m reading to this age, a child will lose interest.  Get their attention back by asking questions about what they see on the page or ask them to help you turn to the next page.
• Make the most of TV time.  I  completely agree that kids shouldn’t watch too much TV.   That said, many of you have seen my daughter Chloe in the store watching her DVD player.  You may also have noticed that we keep the closed captioning button on.  In this way, Chloe may begin connecting the words to what is happening on screen.

5 to 6 years old

• It’s time for chapter books (longer picture books are still great too though!).
• Have your child set the pace.  Don’t worry if you think the book is babyish.  Stay within your child’s comfort zone to build confidence.
• Take a field trip.  For example, read a book about sea horses (Eric Carle has a beautiful one) before going to the Monterey Bay aquarium Seahorse exhibit.
• Give book “bonus” time:  let your child stay up 15 more minutes to read in bed
• Stay by your child’s side.  A first grade child may be able to understand books at a fourth grade level if Mom or Dad reads to them.  Just because they’re reading on their own doesn’t mean you should stop reading together.

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