The single most important thing you can do to encourage your child to enjoy reading is help them choose the “just-right” book.

Love Your Reading

It is interesting!

It is easy to read!◦Five finger rule

What is the “Just-Right” book?

This is a wonderful activity no matter how old the child.

This can be enriched through “book conversations” that may occur before, during, and after reading.

What about reading to my child?

Look at the cover and the pictures and make predictions about what the book is about.

While reading, make more predictions about what will happen next. Check and change predictions while you read.

Make connections from your life to the book you are reading. Encourage your child to do this.

After reading, talk about your favorite parts of the story and explain why you liked them.

What are book conversations?

• Ask Elaborated Questions.◦ Ask questions about the story & the

pictures.◦ When children answer, help them to

elaborate on what they said.◦ In other words, help them to tell you more.

The adult asks, “Ah, what’s that?” Child: A big, red mouth. She asks, “A big, red mouth with what? Child says: “Teeth!”

Book Conversations:Ask Children to Tell You More

Phonological Awareness refers to children’s ability to pay attention to:

• Rhymes, syllables, & speech sounds Model sounds that are difficult for your child to

say Ex: ‘I sssssee a sssssssnake’

Book Conversations:Phonological Awareness and speech sounds.

This refers to the thoughts, feelings, & intentions of the story characters.

Adults can read the story & help children discuss the thoughts of the story characters. Ask, “What are the animals thinking/feeling?

Awareness and expression of own feelings Appropriate ways to express feelings

Teach “Theory of Mind”

Too often kids are more concerned with properly pronouncing words instead of understanding word meaning.

Ask 'Do you know what this means?' when your child reads an unfamiliar word.

Talk to your child about a variety of things using new words. Be sure to push your child by using higher level words.

Explain everyday activities using vocabulary specifically associated with those activities.

VIDEO

Vocabulary

Play games that involve vocabulary, such as:◦ Scrabble◦ Boggle◦ Charades◦ Apples to Apples

This investment will pay off as your child develops their vocabulary and excels in school. Plus it's fun and the whole family can benefit

Game Suggestions

Your journey is beginning! Your child is developing as a reader and

writer every day. Reading skills begin developing through

talk and communication with you. Conversation is the first literacy lesson!

Read to your child EVERY day to provide a strong foundation.

Limit screen time and increase “lap time” and dinner conversation.

The National Reading Panel says…

Phonemic Awareness Phonics and Concepts about Print Fluency Vocabulary Comprehension

Hand outs are available.

Five Pillars of Reading Instruction

At 7:00 please accompany your youngest child to their next session.

Until then, enjoy looking at the books and handouts.

If you do not want your picture on the internet, please let Bev Harmon know!

7:00 Session