Read Aloud Tips for Parents
Effective storybook reading is an interactive process. Taking time to discuss and clarify difficult concepts during the reading can prevent misunderstanding further on, and encouraging children to respond during reading enhances both comprehension and interest in the story. Children learn that understanding text is a process that occurs before, during, and after reading.
Before Preview the book and practice reading it. Introduce the title, author, and illustrator. Tell briefly what the story is about.   During Hold the book so your child can see the words and illustrations. Vary your tone, volume, and pitch as you read. Pause occasionally to explain, comment, or look at the illustrations.   After Discuss the characters and what happened in the story Help your child relate the story to something personal or another story.   More Great Tips Establish a regular time and place. Reading every day for 20 minutes is more beneficial than reading for a longer period of time on a less frequent schedule. Encourage children to pick their own books to read together by placing them at eye level and making them easily accessible. Cuddle up together and encourage "pre-readers" to repeat words and phrases as you read to them. Read favorite books over and over again. Children love to do this, and it is important because it helps them remember words, phrases, and even the sequence of a story so that they can begin to "read" it on their own. Be an expressive reader-- it takes practice! When you read every day, your skill as a storyteller will improve. Keep reading aloud as your kids grow. Until junior high school, most children are better at listening than they are at reading.