Suggestions for Effective Read-Aloud Time

• Make reading aloud a DAILY habit.

• Spend a moment Previewing the cover - Who is the author/illustrator? If you look them up ahead of time, you might have interesting information to add.

• Do a picture walk before reading, talk about what you see in the pictures.

• Track your reading with your finger.

• Read with expression - consider changing the tone of your voice for dialogue.

• Adjust your reading pace to fit the story. You don’t have to rush to the end.

• Allow your child to interject their thoughts without being pushed to complete the book. 

• Be willing to pause and whisper to yourself what you’re wondering about while you read a certain part. “That seems like it’s an important word/part/sentence/idea.”

• Ask your child to interact with the print - "Can you find a word that starts like your name?"

• Invite your child to “read” repeated, predictable words/phrases.

• Ask questions about the story - 

   "What do you think will happen next?"

   "Do you think that character made a good choice? Why or why not?"

   "What do you like about this picture?"

   “Do you notice any patterns?”

• Bring attention to sounds of words - "What sound do you hear at the beginning/end of ---"

• Ask other family members to be readers so your child has many role models for reading.