Happy Memorial Day
from #808Reads
A Day for Rememberin' by Leah Henderson
Read Aloud Tips for Families
Make reading time a priority – Sit down as a family and decide on a daily reading time, and then consider it an appointment that needs to be kept. Some families might find that right before bed is the best time, but early risers might enjoy reading at breakfast. For younger listeners, bath time can be great! Build it into your daily routine and soon you will find that everyone is ready and waiting to hear what comes next in the story.
Show emotion that matches the story – All of the books from Read to Them capture a range of emotions over the course of the story. When reading aloud, mirroring the emotions felt by the characters will make the story more meaningful to your listener.
Vary your rhythm – Have fun with the language in your book. During suspenseful sections, slow down and let the suspense build. During a particularly meaningful moment, pause and let the impact settle. During emotion-packed scenes, drop your voice to a whisper. When you are reading aloud, you are performing the story. Authors don’t want their stories performed in monotone!
Don’t be afraid to be silly – Accents, funny voices, and sound effects are all great tools to use to make reading aloud more engaging. Character-specific voices or mannerisms also help listeners follow the dialogue. It might be a challenge, but it’s worth the effort to make your story come alive.
Stay engaged with your listener throughout your reading time – Stop from time to time to explain an unfamiliar vocabulary word, discuss an important point, or ask your child to make a prediction. You don’t want to derail the story too much, but you do want to make reading together interactive.
Expect some fidgeting – Listening during reading time does not have to be a stationary activity. Some listeners will sit still as stones with eyes and ears fixed on you, and that’s great. But other listeners stay more engaged with something in their hands like a small toy,
some crayons, or a stuffed animal. Some children might listen better if allowed to walk around the room, or even bounce on the bed a bit. Work together to find the way that works best for your child.
Questions for Discussion
- Did this book make you want to explore the subject matter more?
- What were your impressions on the author's style? Did you find the book easy to read, or a slog?
- Of all the information presented in the book, what has stayed you the most?