How to Read Books Aloud to a 4 Year Old

It is important to let your child see any pictures as you read together.

Age 4 is a formative period. A child is making dramatic improvements with his language skills and is beginning to understand logical concepts. At this point in a youngster's life, reading to him is crucial for the development of speech and thought development. However, there is a difference between reading aloud well, and reading aloud badly. At its worst, reading aloud can render children disinterested, distracted, and uninterested in reading in general. In order to be effective, you must be aware of certain principles when reading aloud to young children.

Instructions

1. Choose age-appropriate books that interest both you and your child. If you like the story, you will read it in a more exciting way, and if your child likes it, they will pay attention and gain a lot more from story-time. If the vocabulary or ideas are too difficult, the story will not come together in the child's mind. If he isn't putting two and two together in his brain, the story isn't doing him much good.

2. Moderate your speed. It is important that children be given time to think about what is happening during the story, as they won't understand as quickly as an adult would. Be careful to read at a medium pace and enunciate well. Add suspense by reading quickly and then pausing before the most important part. Read slowly and softly for scary parts. Speed variations can improve how your child experiences the story.

3. Pause when appropriate. Pauses in the right places can build suspense and hold a child's interest more than a droning voice with no breaks. If you are reading attentively but naturally, this should come easily to you.

4. Give the characters personality. Changing your voice a little for each person in the story will keep your child listening interactively and may help him better understand the story. Use facial expressions when there are particularly strong emotions. It is more enjoyable for everyone involved if the story has a little added variety.

5. Show the pictures if there are any. A picture is worth a thousand words, and can help children grasp concepts that they might not aurally understand. Make sure you have shown the title, cover, and author of the book.

6. Make story-time fun. If done properly, a daily ritual of reading aloud can make your child a life-long reader. However, bad experiences with books can engender a life-long hatred of reading. Let your child have a say in the stories you choose, and ask him questions to keep him engaged and gauge his understanding. Patiently answer any questions he has. Don't spend too long reading if it looks like your child is getting tired or bored. It's okay to stop if he isn't having fun anymore.

References

• Bank Street College's Guide to LIteracy for Volunteers and Tutors: Reading Aloud to Children: Helpful Hints
• Child Care Lounge: The Importance of Reading Aloud to Children, by Tracy Buckler
• National Network for Child Care: Better Kid Care: Reading Aloud, by Better Kid Care Project Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension, 1996

Resources

• Teacher's Mentor: Reading Aloud to Children