Recommended Practices When Reading Aloud to Children

Set aside at least one consistent time each day for a story. This time should be ideal for both you and the child.

• Sticking to a schedule helps the child know what is expected and allows them to view reading as an enjoyable part of each day.
• Having a consistent time each day to read together can demonstrate the importance of quality time with one another.

Ask yourself,

• When is there a time that I will not be distracted as a reader?
• If the child attends daycare/preschool,
  what times during the day do they have Storytime?
• What distractions can I be aware of (e.g., is my child hungry, is their favorite
  cartoon on, are they too tired, etc.)?

Read the book to yourself first.

• Allows you to familiarize yourself with the book's length, content, and appropriateness.
• Allows you to practice and become a better reader.
• Allows you to identify throughout the book:
  • Where you need to slow down or speed up,
  • Where you can use more expressions,
  • Where you can change the tone of your voice to fit the dialogue of the story,
  • Where you can ask questions or prompt the child.

Ask yourself,

• Do I like the book?
• Does this book contain the main concepts I want my child to grasp?
• Is this book appropriate for the intellectual, social, and emotional level of my child?

If the book is appropriate but long, ask yourself,

• Are there sections in the book I could stop and pick up later?
• Are there sections of the book I could shorten or eliminate without losing the main concepts of the story?

Make sure you and your child are comfortable and the reading environment is ideal.

• Allows you to have an enjoyable reading time for you and your child.

Ask yourself,

• Does my child want to sit on my lap or on the floor in front of me?
• As I read, can my child see the illustrations from where they are sitting?
• Am I in a comfortable place?

Do a “Book Walk” together. Look at the illustrations and talk about the book.

• Supports the child’s curiosity and interest in the story.
• Allows you to bring the author and illustrator to life

Ask the child,

• “What do you think this book is going to be about?”

As you read the story, keep the child involved!

• Allows the child to build mental pictures of what they just heard.
• Allows the child to express their thoughts and ask questions.
• Allows you to point out important parts of the story.
• Supports a child’s reading and language skills.

Ask the child questions before and while you read:

• “What just happened?”
• “What do you think is going to happen next?”
• “What do you think is going to happen if...”

Ask yourself,

• Are they able to answer my questions? If not, can I simplify my questions? If so, can I ask deeper questions?

Allow them to turn the pages and, if repeat/familiar phrases occur in the book, allow them to recite them.

Always answer the questions that the child asks (during or after the story).

 

• Supports deeper learning and allows the child to better understand the main concepts of the book.

Ask yourself,

• Am I able to answer their questions? If not, can we look it up together or can I look it up and follow up with the child later?

Remember,

• If the question is not for the purpose of distraction, answering it will foster their curiosity.
• Answer with patience.
• "Reading" together is not always about reading the story word-for-word.

Provide the child with opportunities to experience the book in a variety of ways.

It is normal for children to have a tough time sitting still! Allowing the child to stay engaged in the story in a variety of ways can help them keep their hands or bodies busy while listening.

Ask yourself, is there some way I can help my child be active as part of this reading time? For example:

• Could I provide paper and crayons, or another quiet activity, for them to keep their hands busy?
• Could I find opportunities for us to stand up or move in some way that aligns with what is happening in the story?
• Can I keep my child interested in other ways, such as:
  • Allowing them to turn the page
  • Asking them to point to an image or letter
  • Asking a question or making a comment

Read books multiple times.

• Children typically enjoy reading stories multiple times – being exposed to something multiple times helps them learn.
• Repeated reading supports children’s understanding of stories and helps build their reading and language skills.

After the 10^th (or 100^th?) time reading the same story, remember,

• This is a good thing and a normal part of my child’s development.

Ask yourself,

• What does my child understand about this story that they did not understand the 10th (or 100^th) time we read it together?

Set aside time to ask questions after the story. This can be immediately following the story or at a different time (e.g., dinner table, in the car, bath time, etc.)

Supports a child’s comprehension and understanding of the book.

Ask the child,

• “What was your favorite part of the story?”
• “What is this story about?”
• “What happened in this story?”
• “What other questions do you have about the story now that we are at the end?

Bring a third dimension to the story, such as doing an activity during or after the story.

• Children learn best when there is an opportunity to continue a conversation or activity during or after being read to.

Some examples to think about include:

• If the characters are planting flowers, a good follow-up activity would be to plant a flower together while recalling the events of the story.
• If the characters are eating pancakes, make pancakes to eat during or after the story.