Reading to Preschoolers parent talk Part Five

 

Image Source: Leunig cartoon 23 October, 2019

I am penning this post to draw together my four previous posts on the topic of reading to and with preschool aged children. I am so lucky to be able to talk with a group of parents in a preschool tonight.

Here are my previous posts:

Part One some book ideas

Part Two books to good to miss and books with a repeated refrain

Part Three older book treasures to find in a library and parent reference books

Part Four asking questions/talk handout

Here are some resources to explore:

Book Trust "The Benefits of Reading"

Reading to Children: Why It’s So Important and How to Start

READING WITH PRESCHOOLERS

10 ways to encourage your preschooler - on the road to reading

Momo Pinterest collections

Here is the script of my talk for tonight:

Preschoolers know a lot of things they didn't know as babies. They don't yet read independently and no one expects this, but IF they've been read to a lot, they know a thing or two about reading:

·       They know books are read from front to back.
·       Pictures should be right-side up
·       Reading is done from left to right
·       The language of books is different from spoken language
·       Words have different sounds in them
·       There are familiar and unfamiliar words

 

Choosing lots of different books to read aloud will build your preschooler's vocabulary, and help your child learn about different topics and understand how stories are structured and what characters do in them.

AND they will associate this activity with fun and pleasure

AND your child will begin to develop a longer attention span which will help later when we talk about reading stamina

BUT it is not your role to teach your child to read – reading aloud every day is a vital stepping stone to later reading achievement and success. It also helps develop listening skills!

The issues of phones and distractions are real! Plan to turn off or put your phone away – your child needs your undivided attention – they need to hear you read and share books and they need to have conversations.

If you want to have a discussion (hold off until your second reading and don't ask all of these just one or maybe two):

For example:

• What do you see on this page?

• How do you think the characters feel?

• What do you think is going to happen next?

 

When you have finished, talk about how your child feels about the book (don't ask all of these just one or two):

• What did they like?

• What didn’t they like?

• What can they remember about what happened?

 • Who was their favourite character? Why?

• Link the story to the children’s experiences. Can they remember when they did something similar? Make connections.

Most importantly, have fun!

Fill spaces with books so it all seems natural when you reach for a book to share – books in their room and books on the coffee table

Let your child see YOU reading (including dad)

It’s okay to abandon a book

Some popular series do not always make good read aloud books but you can use these in other ways to talk about the pictures if the text is too tedious

Choices in a library – you choose 5 I’ll choose 5 – negotiate this

You will develop your own taste and your child will develop taste through exposure to the best books and exposure to fine art through illustrations – a picture book can be a child’s first introduction to art!

 

Here are 7 great reasons reading aloud to children:

1. Children learn a great deal about reading when being read to. By reading the books together children learn to recognise words and how they are used. Children who are read to regularly in their preschool days perform better once they get to school.

2. Reading a book with a child is a really rewarding and special way to spend time together. Seize the moment, foster curiosity. Plan to read and re-read. “Read it again” is a huge compliment from a child.

3. It's a fun time often full of laughter, especially when special voices are used for different characters and emphasising adventurous events. Laughing with a child is one of the best things in life.

4. Children respond so well to routines, to consistency and having a regular routine of reading together and helps creates feelings of safety and security. Before you begin, look at the cover and talk about it, notice the end papers, say the title, author and illustrator names.

5. Having the focus and attention of an adult makes children feel valued and improves their self-esteem. It also gives a great opportunity to have open conversations about what's happening with their life - vital for keeping the lines of communication open and giving the opportunity to know about any potential problems or risks.

6. Reading aloud and sharing stories with children helps them fall in love with reading and books. Associating positive feelings like happiness, warmth and safety with reading helps children. ENTHUSIASM!! Follow their interests eg Diggers child. Find poetry books, read nursery rhymes, match fiction and nonfiction. Ask for help in the library!

7. You don't have to be a great reader yourself for a child to enjoy you reading to them - they love you, they will love the story, time and attention you are giving them. Reading regularly to a child will help you gain confidence. It will become easier the more you do it.

 

Every day, make a quiet, restful place for ten, fifteen or even twenty minutes. Put your child in your lap and read a book aloud. This should feel like a beautiful break during or at the end of your busy day.

 

Finding books

We speak English and so we can access books from UK, USA, NZ, Canada and Australia!

Visit your local library. There are hundreds of book ideas out on the internet but don’t be afraid to just pick up a huge selection from your local public library. Talk to their staff and use their catalogue!

Blogs:

The Bottom Shelf

Kids' Book Review

Book fairs such as Lifeline are terrific

When you visit your local school ask to see the library – if your older child is at school ask to borrow books – the Teacher-Librarian will welcome you.

Give books as gifts