Reading with
your Child

Below you will find some suggestions on reading to your child at home.  You will also find a short video of a teacher from Chets Creek reading to her own child as an example of what reading at home might look like for each age.  To view, click on the section below.
 

Even though the “experts” say to begin reading to your baby from the very beginning, if you’ve ever tried it, you might wonder what your wee one is getting out of it as he yawns and fusses and struggles to focus on the pages!  Believe it or not, the truth is that he is getting lots out of it!  He already knows the safe, soothing sound of your voice so as you read, he is beginning to hear “the language of books” (which sounds different than talking).  He begins to see you turn the pages from left to right and sees the colorful pictures.  He knows this “reading thing” must be something very special because you hold him so close!  Only expect to keep your baby’s attention for a few minutes, but it’ll be worth the effort.  You are beginning to raise a reader!

Board books (those books with heavy cardboard pages), cloth and vinyl books are the perfect toddler books.  Since your toddler is as likely to chew on the pages as look at them, you need books that are indestructible!  Children at this age will tear pages or color on the pages of traditional books, because they haven’t quite figured out what to do with them.  That doesn’t mean they don’t need to hear books read to them every day for a few minutes and this is the perfect age to begin to point to things on the pages – “Where’s the baby?”  “Find the blanket.”  “What’s that?” Choose books with simple pictures that you can ask your child to “point and say.”  Children this age especially love peek-a-boo books.  These short study board books are also about the right length for their short attention spans! Board books in the car or even reading in the bathtub where you have a captive audience are sure winners at this age! Don’t forget about story times at the public library or book stores every week.

Tips for reading to preschoolers:

• Choose a collection of nursery rhymes, A-B-C books and 1-2-3 counting books, books with rhyme and rhythm, simple stories with predictable story lines and repeating lines, and fairy tales.
• Encourage your child to join in while you read.  Pause expectantly to let him fill in a rhyming word or repeating line, “I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll…”
• Read with expressions.  Change your voice to fit the mood, action, and characters.  Don’t be afraid to “ham it up.”
• Ask questions as you go, such as “What do you think is going to happen next?” or “Why do you think he did that?”
• As you read, move your finger under the words so that your child learns that the words are in the print and that the letters move from left-to-right and top-to-bottom.
• Begin teaching letters of the alphabet by having your child find the alphabet letters on the page that are in his name.
• To keep your preschooler engaged, change the character’s name to your child’s name.  Sneak in other names that he might know.
• Enjoy the time together.  It’ll be over before you know it!

How can kindergarten parents help their child use their nightly book in the bag?

Sometimes kindergartners will bring home books that they obviously cannot read.  These books are meant for an adult to read to the child.  These are some suggestions that you might use with those books:

• Encourage your child to find the title of the book on the book cover and to read any words that he might know.
• Encourage your child to find the author's name on the book cover.
• Encourage your child to predict from the cover what he thinks the story will be about.
• After you are finished reading the story ask your child to open the book page-by-page and retell what happened in the story.  If your child gets stuck, ask him questions such as What happened next? or give him “hints” to help him think of the next part.
• Ask your child what happened in the beginning of the story, in the middle and at the end for the book.  Ask him who the characters are in the story or where the setting is (where did this story happen? When did it happen?)
• Just enjoy the book with your child!
• Always feel free to supplement your child’s reading with books from your home library, the school or the public library.   Children LOVE to be read to and will remember this as a very special time!

Sometimes kindergartners will bring home books that they are expected to read to an adult.  These books will have a letter (A, B, C…) on the outside and will have a few simple sentences on each page.  Below are some strategies that you might use to help your child.

• Ask your child to find and read the title of the book on the outside cover.
• Ask your child to point to the author's name
• Encourage your child to predict what they think the story will be about from looking at the cover if they have not read the book before.
• Suggest one of these strategies –
  • Point to the words.  To help young readers match words on the page to what they say, we often encourage them to point to each word as they read.
  • Use the pictures. When a child comes to a word she doesn’t know, we often suggest that she look at the picture to see if she can find a clue.
  • Get your mouth ready.  Sometimes if a child gets to a word she don’t know, if she just says the first sound of the word, sometimes the word just pops out!
  • Does that make sense? If a child says a word incorrectly and it doesn’t make sense, you can always ask your child, “Does that make sense?”  We always want children to stop and think if they read something and it doesn’t make sense. 

Each night first graders choose a book to take home to read to an adult.  The book should not be difficult and may or may not be a book that the child has read in class.

Parents can support their child by listening to them read their book-in-the-bag each night and discussing the book. 

Before the child reads, ask him if he has read this book before.  If he hasn’t, ask him to predict what he thinks the book will be about.

After your child reads the book, change up the things that you ask each day. Below are some questions that you might ask after your child reads.

• Was this book fiction (a story) or non-fiction (really happened)?
• Who were the main characters in your book?
• What was the setting? (Where dis the story happen?  When did it happen?)
• Retell the story.  Tell me what happened in the beginning, the middle, and the end of the story.
• What was your favorite part of the story?  Why was it your favorite?
• Why do you think the author wrote this book?
• Can you think of another title for this book?
• Did anything in this book remind you of something that has happened in your own life?
• Did this book remind you of any other book you have read?
• Did you like this book?  Why or why not?

Just to change things up, read to your child sometimes instead of having them read their book in the bag to you.  Choose a book that really interests your child that you can select from your home library or from the school or public library.  Reading to your child can really enhance comprehension.  First graders really love chapter books and your child will cherish the time with you!

If your child brings home a book that can be read completely, he will simply read the book, and log the title, author, genre, and pages on the reading log in the homework folder.  He will return the book in the bag in the plastic bag daily.  If your child brings home a chapter book or longer book, you can expect him to bring home that same book until he has completed it.  He will log the title, author, genre, and pages he reads out of the text in a reading log that evening. 

In some cases, a child can read independently for 20 minutes, but in other cases, you may have to be your child’s reading buddy.  You can sit and listen to him read aloud or you can take turns with him.  (He reads one page, you read the next.)  Whether your child reads independently or with you, you can support him in several ways. 

Before your child reads, ask him if he has read this book before.  If he hasn’t, ask him to predict what he thinks the book will be about and ask why he thinks that.

After your child reads the book, change up the things that you ask each day. Below are some questions that you might ask after your child reads.

• Who were the main characters in your book?
• What was the setting? (Where did the story happen?  When did it happen?)
• What was your favorite part of the story?  Why was it your favorite?
• Did anything in this book remind you of something that has happened in your own life?
• Did this book remind you of any other book you have read?
• Did you like this book?  Why or why not?

If the book your child brings home is a chapter book, make sure to review what has happened in the previous chapter before starting a new chapter.  You might ask any of the following:

• Is this book in a series? 
• Have you read any other books in this series?
• Have you read other books written by this author?
• How is this book the same as another book you’ve read by the same author?
• When did you start this book?  When do you think you will finish this book?
• Do you plan on reading another book by this author?
• Are you enjoying the book?
• What is the main problem in the story? 
• How was the problem solved?
• Have any parts been confusing to you?
• Would you recommend this book to a friend?  Why or why not?

Third graders are in a unique stage of reading development.  Student readers are moving away from learning to read and more towards reading to learn.  The focus of reading instruction moves beyond the “nuts and bolts” of reading the words and into deeper comprehension concepts.  For this reason, we encourage the average student to read at least 20 minutes each night.  For most students this will equate to about 20 pages per night.  Students should be reading mostly in chapter books, but many picture books are still appropriate and encouraged, as well.

What more can you do to help your young readers?  Below are some suggestions for making your child’s reading time more meaningful and effective.

1. Have your child read aloud to you for a portion of his reading time each night.  This will help you ensure that he is reading at a level that is “just right” (not too easy, not too hard), as well as provide additional oral reading practice.
2. After your child completes his nightly reading, ask him to tell you about what he has read.  Even the simplest of discussions (such as What was your favorite part?  What’s happening in the book you’re reading?  Tell me about the main character.) can be very revealing as to how much your child is understanding the story.
3. Consider simultaneously reading the book your child is reading to himself.  Set reading goals and “deadlines”.  Get together to discuss what you have read so far.  Your ideas about the book can support your young reader’s thinking.
4. Make reading at home a shared family event whenever possible (“at 7:30 we turn off the TV and everybody reads!”)  We want reading to be a fun and enjoyable activity for every child.  Make it a positive experience, not a chore.
5. Remember – no one is too old to be read to.  Continue to share evening read alouds with your child.  Whenever possible, choose books your child may not be able to read without your support.  This will enrich his vocabulary and encourage deeper thinking and book discussions.

By 5^th grade most students are reading independently, but you can still check in every now and then and ask your child to read out loud to you.  Your parent role begins to change from actually reading with your child to checking in with your child and holding him accountable.  Your role becomes talk, talk, talk!  The following tips and guidelines might help as you support your child’s reading independence. If you’re not sure how to begin, ask your child some of the following to get started.

• What have you been reading this week?  When did you start that book?  When do you think you’ll be finishing the book?
• Is this book part of a series?  If yes, how is this one the same/ different?
• Have you read other books by that author?  How is this book the same/ different from the author’s other books?
• Are you enjoying this book?  If not, why are you still reading it (choose something you really enjoy)?
• Tell me about the main characters in this book.  Do they remind you or anyone you know? Any of your friends? Family?
• What happening in the story?  What do you think will happen next?  What makes you think that?
• Is there anything in this story that reminds you of your real life?
• Have any parts been confusing?
• Would you recommend this book to a friend?  Why or why not?

 Here are a few suggestions for the child who really doesn’t like to read!

• Offer to read with your child – He reads a page and then you read a page.  Enjoy the time together.  Make sure to discuss and enjoy the book as you go.
• Offer to read the same book as your child reads it so that you can discuss it as he goes.  This is a fun way to enjoy a book together and is a great choice for the high interest books that are being read for Battle of the Books.
• Help your child select a book that has been made into a movie or that has an audio tape.  Offer to buy/rent the video/audio after your child reads the book as a way to help understand any difficult parts. 
• Think about subscribing to a magazine instead of reading books.  The articles are usually shorter, timely, and if you choose a magazine title that your child is really interested in, it may make reading easier.

Help your child choose from a High Interest Book Series

• Percy Jackson and The Olympians Series by Rick Riordan

There are four books in this series so far; The Lightning Thief, Sea of Monsters, Titan’s Curse and The Battle of the Labyrinth

"Once I got over the fact that my Latin teacher was a horse, we had a nice tour, though I was careful not to walk behind him." For Percy, a wisecracking 12-year-old with ADHD, discovering his teacher is really a centaur is just another clue that the Greek gods are alive, well, and causing all kinds of mayhem in modern-day America. Accused of stealing Zeus's master lightning bolt, Percy must prove his innocence while battling a Minotaur and a host of other celestial thugs. Best for older, action-loving kids, this book offers nonstop adventure and terrific exposure to Greek mythology.

Child magazine's Best Children's Book Awards 2005

• Kingdom Keepers 1 and 2 by Ridley Pearson

Using a cutting-edge technology called DHI - which stands for both Disney Host Interactive and Daylight Hologram Imaging - Finn Whitman, an Orlando teen, and four other kids are transformed into hologram projections that guide guests through the park.
The new technology turns out, however, to have unexpected effects that are both thrilling and scary. Soon Finn finds himself transported in his DHI form into the Magic Kingdom at night. Is it real? Is he dreaming?
Finn's confusion only increases when he encounters Wayne, an elderly Imagineer who tells him that the park is in grave danger. Led by the scheming witch, Maleficent, a mysterious group of characters called the Overtakers is plotting to destroy Disney's beloved realm, and maybe more.
This gripping high-tech tale will thrill every kid who has ever dreamed of sneaking into Walt Disney World after hours and wondered what happens at night, when the park is closed.

• Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves and Peter and the Secret of Rundoon by Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry

Ever wonder how Captain Hook lost his hand to a crocodile? Then crack open this thoroughly entertaining prequel to Peter Pan. Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Barry and bestselling thriller writer Pearson tie up loose ends with a rollicking story that stretches from an English orphanage across a turbulent sea to faraway Mollusk Island.
Child magazine's Best Children's Book Awards 2004

• Warriors Series by Erin Hunter

Fire alone can save our Clan...

For generations, four Clans of wild cats have shared the forest according to the laws laid down by the powerful ancestors. But the warrior code is threatened, and the ThunderClan cats are in grave danger. The sinister ShadowClan grows stronger every day. Noble warriors are dying -- and some deaths are more mysterious than others.

In the midst of this turmoil appears an ordinary housecat named Rusty . . . Who may yet turn out to be the bravest warrior of them all.

• Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer

The title character is a genius, a criminal mastermind and a millionaire—not bad for a twelve-year-old. Artemis, scion of a famous crime family, has a cunning plan to recoup his family's fortunes, which suffered from a bad business deal by his now-deceased father. Since he's no ordinary boy, it's no ordinary plan—he wants to kidnap and ransom a fairy, after high-tech preparations that would make James Bond nod approvingly. What Artemis doesn't know is that the LEPrecon Unit is no slouch when it comes to high-tech rescue. Thankfully, Colfer mixes in times of quiet reflection with the full-throttle action—even giving Artemis a chance to redeem himself. It is a work that will inevitably draw comparisons to the "Harry Potter" series, with its emphasis on the existence of a magic world. But Artemis Fowl is no copycat. It's an original. Read it out loud to your kids, and the whole family will end up missing normal bedtimes.

• The Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Dear Reader,

I'm sorry to say that the book you are holding in your hands is extremely unpleasant. It tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever, the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe. From the very first page of this book when the children are at the beach and receive terrible news, continuing on through the entire story, disaster lurks at their heels. One might say they are magnets for misfortune.

In this short book alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, and cold porridge for breakfast.

It is my sad duty to write down these unpleasant tales, but there is nothing stopping you from putting this book down at once and reading something happy, if you prefer that sort of thing.

With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket