I've stopped saying to families "read aloud to your children" because the phrase has almost lost meaning. Instead I like to talk with families about using books to build relationships with their children - so important in our whirlwind lifestyle so many of us have today. Spending specific time with your child, interacting over a book, is a wonderful way to get to know your child, stay close, and be learning all at the same time.
Remember these tips:
Take time to think, wonder and ponder. As you read, stop to ask questions and think about what is going on. "Would you do that? Why or why not?"
Allow interruptions. If your child is thinking while you are reading together, he's likely to have a question. Stop and address it before asking "what do you think will happen next?" and then reading along to see.
Don't treat reading with your child as an academic experience. They will learn plenty without you pressuring them to get every single word right (if they say "a" instead of "the" or anything else that doesn't change the meaning, don't correct right then). After all the real reason we read is to squeeze the juice of meaning out of someone else's words. There'll be time at the end to point out a few mistakes and help the child correct them. Read for pleasure, for information, to get to know your child and her opinions, wishes and desires.
Jim Trelease says, "What we teach our children to love and desire will always outweigh what we teach them to do." The family role with reading is to help our children fall in love with that activity. They will get plenty of structured teaching of phonics, strategies, etc. Focus on making it a delicious experience, one they want to do because it's great, it's fun, it's a meaningful thing to do.
About The Author
Known as the "Literacy Ambassador," Cathy Puett Miller uses a library science degree from Florida State University as the foundation of her work. With more than eleven years experience as an independent literacy consultant working with teachers, parents, librarians, and non-profit family-friendly organizations, she has conducted research initiatives and best practice studies in the areas of beginning reading instruction, emergent literacy and volunteer tutoring. She currently is listed on the U.S. Department of Education's What Works Clearinghouse Registry of Outcome Evaluators.
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