10 Steps to Reading Success – Progressive Parents Promoting Literacy
This week I will tell you about Step 2
Read with Your Child
“Reading aloud presents books as sources of pleasant, valuable, and exciting experiences. Children who value books are motivated to read on their own.”
Derry Koralek
Reading Aloud with Children of All Ages
https://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200303/ReadingAloud.pdf
Listening to an adult model fluent reading increases students' own fluency and comprehension skills (Trelease, 2001), as well as expanding their vocabulary, background knowledge, sense of story, awareness of genre and text structure, and comprehension of the texts read (Wu & Samuels, 2004).
First, let me say that reading is not just about turning pages:
R e-read the book
E ngage and enjoy
A sk questions
D o more
Re-read the book several times. Re-reading the book at least three times reinforces and strengthens vocabulary and supports comprehension. Each time you re-read the book, change the focus of your conversation.
When re-reading fiction books:
talk about the what is happening in the story
help students to predict what will happen on the next
discuss the characters and what they might be thinking
change your voice to sound like the characters
When reading non-fiction books:
talk about what the author wants you to know
help students determine how they will use the new knowledge
dig deeper and help children become decision makers
help children to make comparisons to other books they have read about the topic
Engage and enjoy with your child:
read with enthusiasm
use expressive voice tones
make it exciting
just have fun reading the book
Ask questions:
As you read fiction books, don’t just ask, “What color was the house?”
Go deeper and ask:
“Why do you think the illustrator used that color?”
“What did the color of the house add to mood of the story?”
“How did the color of the house make you feel?”
When you read non-fiction books, ask questions such as:
“What does the author want you to learn?”
“How will you use what you are learning in your every-day life?
“How can you use what you learned to help others?”
These types of questions cause children to think, to comprehend and, to be problem solvers instead of just “Calling” the words on the page.
Listen to your children’s answers and help them discover their own voice.
And finally,
Don’t stop.
Don’t stop reading.
For example:
If you are reading about sea creatures, visit the aquarium.
If you are reading about cars, take your child with you the next time you have your car serviced.
If you are reading about stars, visit a planetarium.
If you are reading about trees, visit a park.
These experiences bring books to life.
These experiences make reading exciting.
These experiences boost children’s ability to learn.
These experiences help children make connections between themselves and the world.
Don’t just read to your children. Read with them. You will be providing children with the tools to be successful. You are nurturing and developing competent, confident readers.
After you read today’s Monday Motivation, please comment and share how you read with your children. Don’t worry if you haven’t started yet. Today is the day!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_mMmct04Os
It would be an honor to visit your organization. We will go deeper and engage in practical, hands on activities.
Contact me today!
www.kpcarterwrites.com/blog
Next week, we’ll explore:
Step 3 - Maintain a print rich environment in your home, house of worship or community center.
Until then, May your day be filled with love, laughter, and the literacy.
In honor of the children,
The Literacy Whisperer
Kathy Carter
