Story Time Tips

Below are some suggestions to help your child build their reading skills at home.

*Read regularly. Try to read to your child every day. You might aim for 10-15 minutes of bedtime reading for a peaceful end of the day. Anytime is a good time for reading! Tuck read-alouds into the time when dinner is in the oven, or curl up together with a book when you get home from work.

*Take turns choosing books. Your child may want to hear old favorites over and over again. Use your turn for new titles and variety (nonfiction, poetry).

*Let him/her participate. Ask your child to turn the pages while you read. Also, he/she can finish sentences that rhyme or fill in words they know. Go slowly so they have time to understand the story and look at the illustrations. They will enjoy read-aloud time more if they play an active role. After you have finished the story, talk about what happened in the story and ask your child questions.

*Be playful. You can use different voices for different characters (a high, squeaky voice for a chicken or a deep, booming voice for a horse). Substitute your child’s name for the main character’s name, and use family members’ names for other characters. You don’t have to be an expert reader-your child will love it when you read aloud because it’s you!