Tips for Reading With Your Child

Reading to children is an easy and effective way to help children develop a love for reading, as well as ever important reading skills.  Here are some suggestions for making the most of reading time.

Before Reading:
-Find a comfortable atmosphere where both of you can see pictures and words.
-Show cover of book and read title, author, and illustrator.  Discuss what the author and illustrator do for books.
-Talk about the cover and discuss what book might be about.

During Reading:
-Use expressive voices that change slightly for different characters.
-Stop occasionally and ask for questions or predictions from your child.
-Explain words that your child might not understand.
-Engage your child by letting them turn the page, talking about pictures, or reading pages.
-Take your time.

After Reading:
-Discuss the story (characters, setting, and plot).  
-Relate story to real life (ex: ask if your child ever had a similar experience or what they might do if they were in the character’s shoes).
-Draw or write about stories you have read together.  
-Ask if your child liked the book and why or why not.