Reading Aloud with Children

If there is one thing we know about young children it’s that they love a great book.  In preschool classrooms, reading can actually be used as an effective behavior management tool. Need to divert a child’s attention? Read a book. Need to comfort a child in mid-meltdown? Read a book. There’s really nothing that captures a child’s imagination better than a good, old fashioned story. 

Reading should be available anytime and anywhere. A basket of books should be present in all areas of the home–the playroom, the bedroom, and, yes, even the potty! We encourage all families to make reading a central part of home life. Meaningful conversations about books with a trusted adult can lead to increased vocabulary, more sophisticated speech, and stronger ability to make detailed observations. But how do we accomplish this in the home? Try a read aloud! Children want to hear you read the words in a book and explain the story. Not only is it an entertaining activity, it’s a particularly soothing one. Guide them through it using this simple roadmap. You’ll be having a robust conversation about books in no time!

When doing a read aloud with your child….

Read the story

•  Show where you begin reading by pointing to the first word. Point out the directionality of the print on the page (top to bottom and left to right). Talk about the story. Discuss what is happening. 

Work on comprehension and retelling

• During and after reading the book, ask your child questions about the story. What? When? Why? Where? How?
• Ask about the predictions that they made and what the author’s ideas were. 
• Have them retell the story. Use words such as first, then, last, etc.
• Have them “read” the story to you using the pictures and the details they remember. Encourage them to point to each word as they read.

Read and Reread

• Read and reread the book with your child. Remember that while you might be growing tired of the story, your child isn’t. In fact, the pleasure they get from reading a story increases every time you read it. 
• Give your child opportunities to explore the book on their own! 

You are a powerful person in the life of your child, and what you do with your down time at home sets an example about priorities. When you prioritize books and reading in your home, you build a stronger reader. There’s no need to feel overwhelmed. A read aloud offers terrific structure that an adult can easily follow. The next time you lift the remote to switch on the TV, grab a book instead. You (and your child) won’t regret it!