Top 12 Reading Tips for Parents
How to get the most out of a story when you read to your child/children:
Tip #1. Snuggle together when you read with your child/children.Laugh at the funny parts. Act surprised. Be scared. Help you child get into the story and have FUN!!
Tip #2. When you read to your child, talk out loud about what you are thinking. Say what you are thinking about the character and what you think will happen next. Ask questions like, "What do you think will happen next?" Compare the book to your guesses.
Tip #3. Did something in the story ever happen to you or your child? Do the characters remind you of anyone you know? Connect the story line to real-life events.
Tip #4. Try to expand on your child's discussion about the book. The best questions often begin with:
"Why....." or
"What do you think...." or
"Tell me about ..."
Tip #5. After you read, sum up the story (plot) by talking about the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
Tip #6. If the story has rhymes, obvious pictures or recurring words or phrases, pause to let your child guess the next word.
Tip #7. Ask your child to briefly summarize the story. See if he/she can tell you what happened at the beginning, middle, and at the end. Give praise and support when needed. Or, ask him/her to tell you the beginning, the problem, and the solution.
Tip #8. One more time with feeling: When your child has sounded out an unfamiliar word, have him or her re-read that sentence. Often kids are so busy figuring out a word they lose the meaning of what they've just read.
Tip #9. Talk about what you see and do: Talk about everyday activities to build your child's background knowledge, which is crucial to listening and reading comprehension. Keep up a routine, for example, while cooking together, visiting somewhere new, or after watching a TV show.
Tip #10. Don't leave home without it! Bring along a book or magazine any time your child has to wait, such as at a doctor's office. Always try to fit in reading!
Tip #11. Write, write, write! Ask your child to help you write out the grocery list, a thank you note to Grandma, or to keep a journal of special things that happen at home. When writing, encourage your child to use the letter and sound patterns he is learning at school.
Tip #12. Take control of the television. It's difficult for reading to compete with TV and video games. Encourage reading as a free-time activity.
Tip #1. Snuggle together when you read with your child/children.Laugh at the funny parts. Act surprised. Be scared. Help you child get into the story and have FUN!!
Tip #2. When you read to your child, talk out loud about what you are thinking. Say what you are thinking about the character and what you think will happen next. Ask questions like, "What do you think will happen next?" Compare the book to your guesses.
Tip #3. Did something in the story ever happen to you or your child? Do the characters remind you of anyone you know? Connect the story line to real-life events.
Tip #4. Try to expand on your child's discussion about the book. The best questions often begin with:
"Why....." or
"What do you think...." or
"Tell me about ..."
Tip #5. After you read, sum up the story (plot) by talking about the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
Tip #6. If the story has rhymes, obvious pictures or recurring words or phrases, pause to let your child guess the next word.
Tip #7. Ask your child to briefly summarize the story. See if he/she can tell you what happened at the beginning, middle, and at the end. Give praise and support when needed. Or, ask him/her to tell you the beginning, the problem, and the solution.
Tip #8. One more time with feeling: When your child has sounded out an unfamiliar word, have him or her re-read that sentence. Often kids are so busy figuring out a word they lose the meaning of what they've just read.
Tip #9. Talk about what you see and do: Talk about everyday activities to build your child's background knowledge, which is crucial to listening and reading comprehension. Keep up a routine, for example, while cooking together, visiting somewhere new, or after watching a TV show.
Tip #10. Don't leave home without it! Bring along a book or magazine any time your child has to wait, such as at a doctor's office. Always try to fit in reading!
Tip #11. Write, write, write! Ask your child to help you write out the grocery list, a thank you note to Grandma, or to keep a journal of special things that happen at home. When writing, encourage your child to use the letter and sound patterns he is learning at school.
Tip #12. Take control of the television. It's difficult for reading to compete with TV and video games. Encourage reading as a free-time activity.