How Can I Make The Most Of Reading With My Child?: Part I

According to Stacy DeBroff, reading aloud will help improve all academic skills. It will improve listening skills, stimulates the imagination, sharpen observation skills, promote self-confidence, and builds on problem-solving. It also helps your child enjoy and appreciate literature that is too challenging for your child to read alone. Below are some ideas to help get the most out of reading to your child:

1. Find a regular time and place to read everyday possible.

2. Choose a time when you and your child are relaxed, such as bedtime.

3. Before you begin, make sure your child is settled and ready to focus.

4. Read as long as your child shows interest.

5. Vary your tone and pace. using different voices and expressions to make reading enjoyable.

6. Let your child look at the pictures and discuss setting, characters, plot.

7. If you have a hard time getting your child to sit still during reading, try reading to your child while in the tub.

8. Ask questions to make sure your child is listening and engaged.

9. Check to see if your child can recall in order.

10. Get your child to tell you in their own words what the book is about.

11. Encourage your child to follow the text on the page as you read.

12. Point to the words as you read helps your child learn how to pronounce difficult words.

13. Make sure your child feels comfortable asking questions during the story.

14. Help your child discover meaning of words never seen before.

15. Ask your child more "why" than "what" questions. (Example: "Why do you think the character made that choice?" or "Why do you think the story ended that way?").