Sunday, May 19, 2013

Tips for Reading with a Small Child


General Tips
  • You don't have to read all the words!
  • Its okay to abandon a book.  (Though my personal rule is if we are two page turns to the end we stick it out)
  • Its okay to skip around (especially in a lift-the-flap or touch and feel book)
  • Pick good times to read.  Try bed time, nap time, meals / snacks, the car seat, and in the bath.
  • Let your child choose the books (within reason).  We often bring a book or two home from the library that never leave the bag, but I like to let them choose.  
  • Don't take away reading books as a punishment.  
  • Snuggle.
  • Make books available.  Consider making a cozy reading spot.  
  • Allow the reading of books independently (rather than sleeping) at nap time and if your child can't fall asleep at bed time.  
  • Read it again, and again, and again. 
How to do More Than Just Read the Words
  • Talk about the illustrations. Ask questions, play look-and-find, count, etc. 
  • Stop to answer questions.  
  • Talk about how the characters feel. 
  • Relate the text or illustrations to personal experiences.  
  • Pause to let your child fill in words.  
  • Act out the story. 
  • Ask, "What do you think will happen next?"
  • Make connections to other stories.
  • Read multiple versions of the same story.  Talk about similarities and differences. 

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