Family Reading Tips from Kathleen Deerr - Page 2

Preschoolers

Parents can introduce picture books with full storylines on a variety of topics. Keep in mind that children at this age still love repetition in stories. Knowing this, parents can look for books with repeated refrains in the text (children learn to listen for the repeated phrases and grow excited to help the reader finish the sentence).

Kindergarten and First Graders

Children at this age are beginning to learn to read for themselves. However, at this stage a child's listening skills are more advanced than their reading skills. Taking this into consideration, parents can begin to introduce books that have complex storylines (like simple chapter books) as well as rotate in familiar simple books their child can attempt to read independently.

How can parents who read to more than one child at a time keep everyone interested?

Reading together as a family can be one of the best ways to promote family togetherness. All children should be encouraged to ask questions throughout the story and predict what might happen on the next page. This is also a great opportunity for older children to be encouraged to read to younger children. Depending on the ages of the younger children, they might not be able to sit still for an entire story. Parents should keep them involved with the family activity by giving them a puzzle to play with or letting them look through another book. The act of reading together provides children with loving, enjoyable and nurturing experiences. These experiences enable children to develop positive and fun attitudes towards books and reading.

One of my favorite memories as a child was listening to my mother read stories to us while we were on long family car trips. Outside of reading on the couch and at bedtime, are there other places where family reading time can take place?

Everywhere! Parents should make it a habit to bring books everywhere they go. Have books in the car, bring books to the grocery store, and pack books for the morning subway or bus ride. Always having a book handy turns a long line at the supermarket or wait at the mechanic into some special time together rather than the alternative. And, it will help your child build a life long love of books and reading.

For families that speak and read in more than one language, do you have any suggestions for choosing books?

Yes, bilingual families have the benefit of exploring the same story in both languages with their young readers. I recommend going to the library and checking out a story like, Eric Carle's, The Very Hungry Caterpillar in two different languages. While reading each story, parents can assist their child in recognizing familiar words and practice labeling pictures in each language. Families have many choices when choosing books in several languages. Multi- and bilingual picture books, board books, and fairy tales are available in the children's section of most libraries. For parents who do not read or speak English, sharing books in their native language is crucial for their child's early literacy development.