Reading a Story Together

Reading is a magical adventure. When you open a book you are taken away to explore new things. You can ride a dragon, or be transported back in time. You can be moved to tears, or laugh until your sides ache. If we want our children to get interested in books we have to read stories they are interested in.

In school when we read with the children in a "shared reading" activity. We do a pre-reading phase, read the story and then post reading phase. To cover all three of these areas it is not hard--you may already do it naturally--but it is nice to know that you are doing things that actually help children learn to read.

During the pre-reading phase, introduce the story. Read the title and do a picture walk, look at the pictures in the book. Make predictions about what the story will be about. Teach your child when you make a prediction it is OK if your prediction is wrong. Predicting just involves your child in the story. This helps your child relate the pictures, or title to things that they already have experienced, background knowledge.

Next start the reading phase. Read the story with expression and enthusiasm. If you come to a part that has a repeating text have your child join in. As you are reading have them make predictions about the story. Ask questions. Not just about what happened but higher order questions, like how they are feeling or what may happen next.

During the post reading phase discuss the story and ask questions. Ask high ended and open ended questions. These are questions that don't have just one answer. For example, after reading the Three Billy Goats Gruff, ask your child what he thinks will happen to the goats now that they have gotten across the bridge and the troll is gone. Follow up activities can include, writing, drawing, story retelling, acting out the story or something motivating to your child.

Re-reading the story almost always follows this. Read it as often as your child wants. Don't read it until everyone is bored, let your child be the guide.

The techniques of shared reading helps promote childrens' literacy development in:

1) Word recognition (have them look for words or letters they are familiar with.)

2) Vocabulary development (stop and define words along the way. Have them use the word in a sentence)

3) Comprehension (retell the story and talk about plot and characters).

4) Fluency (as a child listens to you read, then he will hear proper expression and that is what he will want to copy).

Reading has many levels. Make this an enjoyable time. Listening to Mom or Dad read can be one of the hi-lights of the day. Literacy is a natural process that begins at home. As children start to learn to read strict instruction is needed in phonics and phonemic awareness, but during this listening stage, relax and enjoy. Help children enjoy a positive feeling about stories as they listen to you read to them.