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Tips on how to read aloud to your child
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Posted on Jul 18 2005
Prepare
* Preview the book before reading it to children. This may help parents spot the material they want to shorten, take out completely or expand on.
* Think about children’s ages, developmental levels and interests.
* If it’s the first time they are reading the book aloud, they should consider asking few questions during the story so that children get to hear the story with few interruptions.
Before reading a story
* Make sure everyone is comfortable
* Show the cover and read the title and author of the book
* Ask the children about the cover
* Suggest things the children can look or listen for during
the story
During a story
* Change voice to fit the mood or action
* Move fingers under the words as read to them
* Show the pictures and talk about the book being read
* Add information or change words to help kids understand
more words and explain the meaning of a new word
* Ask children to make predictions about the plot, the
characters and the setting
* Share own thoughts about the story
* Allow children to ask questions or make comments
* Follow the cues of the children to respond to their age, background and any other individual characteristics or challenges
After reading the story
* Ask questions about the story like the title of the story, author, illustrator, where the story takes place etc.
* Ask children to describe one of the characters in the story,
or how they might feel or act if they were one of the
characters.
* Extend the story with an activity or another book.
