 Do you think you are going to lose it if your child asks you to read Curious George or Green Eggs and Ham one more time? If you do it anyway, give yourself a big ol’ “Atta Girl!” Reading aloud to children –even the same story over and over and over again, is one of the best ways to teach them to love to read. They learn to predict what is going to happen; they eventually learn the story themselves and can relate what is happening in the pictures with the words you are saying! Ideas begin to formulate in that “grey matter” and they relate it to real life concepts! They build vocabulary, learn to track words and pictures with their eyes and build concepts in their minds-eye. Once your child can read, don’t stop reading aloud!
Experts say children who become readers (people who enjoy reading and do it for fun) have parents who continue to read aloud with them throughout their time in elementary and middle school (even high school kids love it).
Pointers for reading aloud with your little kids:
1. Make reading aloud or book sharing a part of every day. Make it a ritual and then it will become a habit. Bedtime, naptime, after dinner, bath time, at the park, on the front porch, or waiting for a bus or at the doctor. You can read anywhere together.
2. Have fun! Choose books that are fun for both of you to read and that will make you want to do it even more!
3. You don’t have to always read the stories. You can flip the pages and discuss what is happening in the illustrations-maybe even make up new words together for the story.
4. Show your child the word you are saying by running your finger over the word as you say it. Let them parrot it back to you.
5. Ask questions about what is happening. Use Who, What When Where Why How if you need a starter.
 Pointers for starting a book group for older kids:
Starting a book group with older kids who are reading chapter books is a great way to get kids excited about reading, as well as maintain a connection with reading in an informal yet purposeful way. Having the parents and the kids doing this together makes the experience fun for everyone!
Here is how to do it:
1. Set a date every month, just like an “adult” book group.
2. Give everyone at least a month to read the book.
3. Keep discussion easy-ask about 5 simple discussion questions. Try to keep it light and let the conversation steer itself with the focus always being on the story and the book.
4. Serve refreshments.
5. Divide the tasks. Have one parent and child host, one parent and child come up with questions and one parent and child provide the refreshments.
6. Before you all leave, choose the next book for the next group. This can have the added bonus of keeping kids connected and bonded during these difficult days of peer pressure and bullies in or out of school. A sort of solidarity can be built among members in a whole new way.
REACH provides reading programs and free new books to children living in homeless and domestic violence shelters locally. We are always seeking new and lightly used books to give away to our program kids and families in need.
This holiday consider sponsoring a REACH Reading Angel Tree to place books in the hands of local children in need, or consider donating a book(s) through our AMAZON.Com Wish List at www.amazon.com under the name REACH Reads. http://www.amazon.com/REACH-READS/wishlist/. Giving a book to a homeless child is as easy as a point and click.
REACH Needs:
· Book runners to assist with the delivery and pick-up of donated books for our programs.
· Readers for Read-Aloud Teams at various shelters throughout Southside Hampton Roads.
· New books or cash donations to purchase books for kids 0-18 (especially books that interest boys.)
· Gift cards to book stores, Michael’s and discount stores to purchase books and program supplies. |
