Read it LOUD! Tips to Get Started

Open a book with a child and you’ll open a whole new world

All you need to start reading aloud is a book, a child and a reader. You can read with a child of any age most anywhere anytime—in bed, on a comfy sofa, under a shady tree, or on the bus. Through the magic of story and your voice, you are creating your own little world when you read aloud with your child—a world filled with literacy and love.

Getting started

  • Choose a book with your child.
  • Offer titles that expand your child's horizons.
  • Find a spot where you are both comfortable. Sometimes kids have to move around to be comfortable.
  • Hold the book while reading and make sure your child can see any pictures in the book.
  • Read, with feeling and enthusiasm. Sense the drama in the story and use your voice to convey it with expressive tones and sound effects.
  • Discuss parts of the story—ask your child to guess what comes next.
  • Give your child enough time to absorb the story and look at the pictures as you read.
  • Let your child get involved in the story and ask questions—its okay if he interrupts.
  • Think aloud about what you are reading. Encourage your child to do the same.
  • Have fun. Try to find a regular time to read aloud in your daily schedule. It’s something you’ll look forward to!

Remember: As you continue to read aloud, your child is getting better at listening, language and learning.

Making the magic happen

It is never too early or too late to start reading to your child. You can make reading fun for them at any age. Try the suggestions below for creating reading magic in your home:

  • Always have books on hand—in the diaper bag or in the car to read or when you will have to wait (lines, appointments, restaurants).

  • Even without books, there’s lots to read—read signs, maps, instruction manuals, news—or tell your own stories or sing songs.

  • Create a special book shelf or book basket for children to access their own books.

  • Give books and magazines as gifts.

  • As children become readers, sometime have older children read to younger siblings or read aloud to you.

  • Start reading traditions in your family—bedtime stories, a special birthday book or holiday favorites—or a family read aloud night where each member of the family gets to read aloud. 

Great read aloud tips

These links will give you many more ideas for successfully reading with your child and the reasons it’s important to do so.

And Do It Like This

Children’s author Mem Fox shares a chapter from her book Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever.

How School Librarians Can Assist You: Reading with Your Children 

The American Association of School Librarians share these tips on how to read aloud to your child and why it's important.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Read-Aloud

This is an excerpt from Chapter Four of The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease (Penguin, 2006, 6th edition).

How to Read to Your Child 

Early literacy expert Susan B. Neuman gives practical advices on how to approach reading to your child.

Cultivating Readers

Cultivating Readers, a parent-friendly magazine, written by the National Center for Family Literacy offers ideas and strategies for promoting reading in your home.

Read-Aloud Tips

From its R.E.D. (Read Every Day) Zone, the BOOK IT! Program provides these tips for parents.

 

Photo source: RodrigoFavera (Flickr-Creative Commons)