How to Read Aloud to Your Child

By eHow Parenting Editor

Rate: (6 Ratings)

Getting your children off to a good literary start begins with reading aloud to them. These suggestions follow the recommendations of the America Reads Challenge. Remember that it's never too early to start, no matter what the age.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Bookstore Gift Certificates
Children's Books
Bookmarks
Library Cards

Step1

Designate a special time and place every day to read aloud to your child. However, don't restrict story time to just that time and place - you can read to your child anywhere, anytime.

Step2

Try to choose books that introduce new words, ideas, people and places.

Step3

Take a trip to the bookstore to let your child select a book that interests him or her.

Step4

Choose a location that's comfortable and well-lit for your child's initial book reading experiences.

Step5

Allow your child to turn the pages and to comment on letters, words and pictures. Use this opportunity to go over letters and sounds.

Step6

Pause in the story often to ask and answer questions and to comment on the pictures.

Step7

Have your child "read aloud" to you by retelling a story or by constructing his or her own story based on pictures.

Tips & Warnings

You can make books come alive - try a re-enactment, puppet shows or drawings to illustrate the story.

Comments

YoungWisdom23 said

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on 11/24/2006 My father used to read to me every night before. By doing so he introduced to literature and now I love reading and consider my favorite past. I also enjoy reading to my baby cousins. Try doing voices. And if you are reading to a young child, like a toddler, it is all about the way you use your voice. Get them excited and reading.

Anonymous said

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on 6/30/2006 Reading to children is the best first step in teaching them to read. It conveys, "This is doable."

Writing is the other part of literacy and will be just as important to a child's schooling. Demystify writing by writing a children's book yourself, leaving the pages blank for your child to illustrate.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 I have been reading to my son for fourteen years. It isn't something you ever grow out of and it's also a wonderful way to introduce them to books that they might never read themselves (like your favorites).

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Whichever we have agreed upon prior to starting, reading either a sentence each or a page each, I will read and then we switch and my son will read. It motivates him to read, keeps him focused, and helps him with his pronunciation.

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