Three Ways to Make the Most Out of Reading at Home
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Reading out loud is one of the most meaningful ways families can support their child’s literacy development at home. Research has shown that just a few minutes of reading out loud a day can have a big impact. Reading out loud supports literacy development and fosters connection. Even children who are fluent, comprehending readers still benefit from being read to.
Here are a few simple ways you can elevate reading at home:
Name the author and illustrator, along with the title, each time you read a book. This practice only takes a few extra moments and can have a big impact. For children over three, give a quick definition of author and illustrator. “The author is the person who thought of the story and wrote it down. The illustrator is the person who thought of the pictures and drew them.” Preschool aged children are beginning to explore expressing their own thoughts through writing and drawing. This habit of naming the author and illustrator will elevate that phase of reading and art development.
Model using books carefully. Hold books in your lap or at a table when you read. Practice turning the pages extra carefully. In my classroom, I read the words on a page first then hold the book up to show the pictures. This models how to hold a book carefully when you read.
Use the language for the parts of a book. Give the names for the spine, cover and page numbers. Point out the table of contents if there is one. Remember that children have an unlimited capacity for new vocabulary and love to classify things. Naming the parts of a book helps children classify new information from something concrete in their daily routine (reading) AND offers new words. Win win!
