How to Pick a Great Book:
Picking a book can be the hardest part of reading with your child. Making sure the book is “Just Right” for your child is important. Teach your children to look through a book, open the pages and place three fingers down on the words. If they can read two out of three words it is “Just Right.” Not knowing any of the words is too hard and knowing all of the words is too easy. Use your judgement in deciding whether or not the text is too complicated. This is great knowledge for your child to gain as they will be able to pick out a book at their level when they go to the library.
The Art of Reading:
THE RIGHT SPOT:
Find the right spot in the house to read together. It might be a comfortable spot on the couch or maybe the kitchen table works best to stay focused.
CHECK OUT THE BOOK
This simply involves reinforcing the understanding of how to approach a book (i.e., Where is the front cover? Where is the title? Where is the back cover? Who is the author? Who is the illustrator?) Ask your child to show you the parts of the book.
WHICH WAY DO YOU GO?
Young readers need to recognize where to start when a book is opened. They need to know that it is the print that they will be interpreting or reading and that the message goes from left to right on the page. Have your child track the words with their finger.
I LIKE IT. LET’S READ IT AGAIN
Your child might be bringing home the same A-Z leveled reader or favourite book again and again from school. Previously successful books read encourages a feeling of well-being as a reader. Positive esteem about reading is a good warm up prior to new reading.
YOU READ THEN I READ
It is fun to share the reading especially if your child finds the book too long or difficult. Have the adult read the first page and the child read the next page. Keep taking turns until you reach the end of the book.
SHADOW ME
With shadow reading the parent reads at the same time as the student/child. The parent slowly lowers his/her voice and allows the child’s voice to be louder. When unknown words are encountered the child will hear the parent say the word and will be able to continue to read the story without stopping the flow of reading. Remember to have your child track the words with their finger!
NUDGE
This strategy works great to eliminate any moaning or stress. If your child has tried many strategies first (i.e., sound it out, picture clues) and is very stuck they gently nudge your arm when they need help with a word or they want you to take a turn. When you want them to resume reading, you nudge back.
READ AND THINK
Reflect on the reading experience. Was it fun? How did you feel? What did you do to help yourself? Talk about strategies that were successful for your child. Discuss favourite parts of the story. Compare storybook characters and events to real-life people and places.
CHECK ON COMPREHENSION
It is very important to talk about the book after you have read the story. Have them retell important facts from the story. Ask your child about specific questions. If your child read the book fluently but could not comprehend what was read then generally the book was too difficult. Sometimes children can decode words very well but they are not putting the meaning of the text together. Try reading an easier book and stop during the book to check on meaning.
Sample Comprehension Discussion:
Retell: This story reminds me of…I remember when…This compares to…
This story is different from…I especially like it when…I like the way the
author…I noticed that…
Relate: I remember…This reminds me of…It makes me think of…It makes
me feel that…This situation is just like…This happens to me, too,
when…This compares to…
Reflect: I wonder if…I wonder why…I didn’t understand…Now I understand
that…I like…I was surprised…I think that…I like the part when…
HAVE FUN!!!!!
Change the name in the story to your child’s name. Change your voice to match the speaking characters. Add expression to your voice! Children pick up on these fun ways to read and will practice it themselves.
Find the right spot in the house to read together. It might be a comfortable spot on the couch or maybe the kitchen table works best to stay focused.
CHECK OUT THE BOOK
This simply involves reinforcing the understanding of how to approach a book (i.e., Where is the front cover? Where is the title? Where is the back cover? Who is the author? Who is the illustrator?) Ask your child to show you the parts of the book.
WHICH WAY DO YOU GO?
Young readers need to recognize where to start when a book is opened. They need to know that it is the print that they will be interpreting or reading and that the message goes from left to right on the page. Have your child track the words with their finger.
I LIKE IT. LET’S READ IT AGAIN
Your child might be bringing home the same A-Z leveled reader or favourite book again and again from school. Previously successful books read encourages a feeling of well-being as a reader. Positive esteem about reading is a good warm up prior to new reading.
YOU READ THEN I READ
It is fun to share the reading especially if your child finds the book too long or difficult. Have the adult read the first page and the child read the next page. Keep taking turns until you reach the end of the book.
SHADOW ME
With shadow reading the parent reads at the same time as the student/child. The parent slowly lowers his/her voice and allows the child’s voice to be louder. When unknown words are encountered the child will hear the parent say the word and will be able to continue to read the story without stopping the flow of reading. Remember to have your child track the words with their finger!
NUDGE
This strategy works great to eliminate any moaning or stress. If your child has tried many strategies first (i.e., sound it out, picture clues) and is very stuck they gently nudge your arm when they need help with a word or they want you to take a turn. When you want them to resume reading, you nudge back.
READ AND THINK
Reflect on the reading experience. Was it fun? How did you feel? What did you do to help yourself? Talk about strategies that were successful for your child. Discuss favourite parts of the story. Compare storybook characters and events to real-life people and places.
CHECK ON COMPREHENSION
It is very important to talk about the book after you have read the story. Have them retell important facts from the story. Ask your child about specific questions. If your child read the book fluently but could not comprehend what was read then generally the book was too difficult. Sometimes children can decode words very well but they are not putting the meaning of the text together. Try reading an easier book and stop during the book to check on meaning.
Sample Comprehension Discussion:
Retell: This story reminds me of…I remember when…This compares to…
This story is different from…I especially like it when…I like the way the
author…I noticed that…
Relate: I remember…This reminds me of…It makes me think of…It makes
me feel that…This situation is just like…This happens to me, too,
when…This compares to…
Reflect: I wonder if…I wonder why…I didn’t understand…Now I understand
that…I like…I was surprised…I think that…I like the part when…
HAVE FUN!!!!!
Change the name in the story to your child’s name. Change your voice to match the speaking characters. Add expression to your voice! Children pick up on these fun ways to read and will practice it themselves.