It sounds simple enough: read to a child frequently and regularly. While reading to young children is encouraged, few parents ever receive instruction on the best way to make the most of the reading sessions.
Book Selection is Essential
Choosing the book to read to a young child can be overwhelming and confusing. Choose picture books with colorful and engaging illustrations. Additionally, choose books from a variety of well-known authors so that the child will become accustomed to various writing styles.
Read the Story Ahead of Time
If the book being read is new, take a few minutes to read it ahead of time. This will allow the reader to gain insight as to the mood of the story, what is going to happen, where to input varying types of expression, and begin formulating questions that may be asked during the reading session.
Take a Picture Walk Through the Book with the Child
Before jumping into a book, take a few minutes to look at the pictures together. Have the child describe what is going on in the pictures. Try to get him to use as many adjectives and adverbs as possible and encourage him to give details of what he sees. Have the child guess the mood of the picture. Do not be afraid to use "big" words like "ominous," "illuminate," or "exuberant" where appropriate. Have him try to use alternative words for colors or expressions. By allowing the child to enjoy the pictures before the story, he will be more likely to listen to what is being read instead of focusing primarily on the pictures.
Jump Into the Story
Once familiar with the story through picutres, read the story fluently and use a full of range of expressions and emotions whlie reading. Do not be afraid to use voices, puppets, or other engaging means getting the point of the story across. Ask the child to predict what is going to happen in the story, ask him why he thinks his prediction is going to be right.
Ask Follow-Up Questions
Once completing the story, ask the child several of the following questions:
- What was the story about?
- Did the child have a favorite part in the story? Why?
- Did the child have a favorite character in the story? Why?
- Which character, if any, was the most like himself, a sibling or friend? Why?
- Did the child like the story? Why?
- Was there a part of the story made him feel scared/excited/worried/anxious?
- If the story ended differently, how would the child end it?
The questions one can ask the child about the story are limitless, so be creative. It is essential that the reader ask open-ended questions, that is, ask questions that require the child to answer with more than a single word. Open-ended questions train the child to think critically about what he reads, and will develop his vocabulary and cognitive skills. This process allows insight into how the child thinks and processes information.
Listen to the Child
Once a question has been asked, be quiet and listen. Give him 30 - 60 seconds to process what has been asked and allow him to formulate an answer. It may seem strange at first to sit there quietly saying nothing for what may feel like is an eternity, but this is a new skill and young children need the time put thoughts together in a coherent manner. If, after 60 seconds, the child has not provided an answer, be prepared to provide him with suggestions, and alternatives.
As parents, so much time is spent on instructing and teaching that listening sometimes gets lost in the instructional process. Give the child time to formulate an answer and do not judge the answer harshly. If a "wrong" answer has been given, ask him why he gave his answer, listen to his response, and then offer alternatives to illicit a better answer. Use the word "No" sparingly, if ever, during these open-ended questioning sessions.
When books read to a child are carefully chosen, the reader reads the story ahead of time, the child is permitted to look at the pictures first, the story is read with fluency and expression, and the child is posed with meaningful questions from a skilled listener, reading sessions will be fun, insightful, and developemental.
For more information on working with young children at home, see Toddler Teaching Strategies and The Smart Way to Teach Your Child the ABC's.
Julie Warrenfeltz - A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh in 1995 with a self-designed major in Technical Writing, I launched my career with a contract ...
