CTAFreedom Campus

Reading With Your Child

*Reading is a great snuggle up time!  Pick a relaxing time and try to read together everyday.

*Be happy to be reading together!  Enjoy the story and have fun.

*Kids know their favorite books.  Let your child pick the book to read.

*Look at the cover and discuss what the book might be about.  Read your child the title, author, and illustrator.

*Talk about what your child already knows about the book or subject (background knowledge).  Relate the book to personal experiences.

*Let your child hold the book and turn the pages.  Point to the first word on the page where you begin reading.

*Read the book.  If your child wants to discuss the pictures as you go along - great!

*Reread favorite books.

*Take time to notice the illustrations.  (Children notice so much in the pictures).

*Let your child look at the pictures and tell the story in his/her own words.  

Getting the meaning of a story is the most important part of the reading process.

*Follow the print with your finger when there are just a few sentences on a page (when using the easier, repetitious books).  When you do this, you will probably notice your child reading along with you and beginning to learn some words.

*Model how reading is like talking and should be fluent.  Your child will notice how book language is different from spoken language.  Exposure to a variety of book language styles will help support your child's reading.

*Expose your child to different types of books, fiction, non-fiction, realistic fiction, fantasy.  Young children need concept books about shapes, colors, alphabet and animals.  Nursery Rhymes are very important. They provide hearing language rhyming.  They also help memorizing skills.  Repetitious or pattern books prompt your child to join in the reading.  

*Make sure that books are appropriate for your child's level of understanding.  Help your child understand that print carries meaning.  Reading above the child's independent reading level enhances his/her listening skills, language and vocabulary and forces comprehension at a more sophisticated level.

Reading aloud to your child may be the best family activity that allows your child to reach his/her potential in learning!

Reading Aloud....

stimulates your child's imagination

develops interest in reading and in books

improves your child's listening skills

builds vocabulary

helps with comprehension

creates a bond between you and your child

provides a positive role model

fosters independent readers