Activities to do with the books your child reads.

Echo reading: You read one line, and the child reads the same line after you. Increase the number of lines you read at one time as the child’s reading improves. To be sure the child is looking at the words, ask him or her to follow the print with a finger.

Choral reading: You and your child read the same text aloud together.

Partner reading: You and your child take turns reading. Start by reading one sentence and asking the child to read the next sentence. As the child’s fluency improves, you read a page, you read a page and he/she reads a page.

Repeated reading: Read the same book or story more than once in the same week.

Remember: Whenever reading with your child, use as much expression as you can so that your reading sounds like speaking and the story comes alive.

Activities to try when reading with your child

Before reading the story. . .

· Have your child show you the front and back of the book, mentioning the author/illustrator.

· Talk about the illustration. Find out why your child picked the book. Ask what he/she thinks the book is about.

· Preview or “picture walk” through the story; have your child predict what is going to happen.

During the story. . .

· Point to the words as you read so that he/she can see what they look like as they listen.

· Ask your child to point out words he/she knows in the story. “You know the word _____. Find it on this page.”

· Ask your child if what you have read makes sense. “Does that look like the word I am saying?”

· Have your child point out capital letters and punctuation and ask what they mean.

After the story. . .

· Find out what your child thought about the story. Which character was his/her favorite? Did he/she like the ending?

· Did your child’s predictions match the actual story? What was similar or different from the original prediction?

· Go back through the book and see if your child can point to key words used in the story.

· Ask your child if he/she learned any new words. What are they, what do they mean, how do you know?

· Ask your child to retell the story to you using the pictures and to “reread” the book to you.

Remember, the most important part of reading together IS reading together!

· Share reading with your child everyday.

· Make reading a fun experience for both of you.

· Let your child know you’re proud of his/her reading.

· Praise your child’s effort and success.