Wherever I may find myself—be it at the library, a waiting room, or even while getting my car serviced—I can instantly recognize a teacher when I hear them reading aloud to children. Their approach is distinctive.
Teachers don’t merely recite the text; they interact with the narrative and the young listeners in a manner that captivates attention. They effortlessly incorporate techniques that prompt kids to think critically and engage with the story. Their use of varied voices and expressive tones draws you in, making you want to hear more.
In educational circles, these methods are regarded as best practices. Teachers aim for their students to contemplate elements such as characters, timelines, plot, and setting. They encourage students to ask questions that enhance understanding and problem-solving skills, ultimately guiding them toward becoming fluent readers themselves.
If you lack a background in education, these strategies may seem daunting to implement at home. However, incorporating some of these teacher-inspired techniques into your reading routine can be simpler than you think and yield significant benefits for your child! Here are five straightforward ways to foster literacy skills during storytime at home:
Technique 1: “I wonder…”
While reading, take occasional pauses to make “I wonder…” statements or pose questions. After demonstrating this a few times, invite your children to share their own wonders. This encourages them to think about cause and effect, make predictions, and recognize patterns in the narrative. Such inquiries also foster empathy, prompting kids to explore characters’ feelings and choices.
For example, when reading “The Three Little Pigs,” pause after the second pig constructs his house and the wolf appears. Say, “I wonder what will happen next!” and allow your child to guess. You might also ask, “I wonder how the pig feels after his house is blown down?”
Technique 2: “Why do you think…?”
Similar to the first technique, asking “Why do you think…?” questions encourages kids to think critically about the story, deepening their understanding of the plot.
Continuing with “The Three Little Pigs,” some insightful questions could be:
- “Why do you think the wolf blew down the house?”
- “Why do you think the first pig built his house with straw?”
- “Why do you think the third house didn’t blow down?”
Technique 3: Fill in the Blank
When reading stories with repetitive patterns or rhymes, try leaving out a word for your child to fill in. This exercise helps them recognize predictable story elements and develops their ability to hear and identify rhymes.
For instance, while reading “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” leave out the words “see” or “me” to see if your children can complete the phrases. For older kids, omit more words from the repeating lines.
Technique 4: Expression
Fluency is key in literacy. When children read fluently, their words flow smoothly, with appropriate pauses and inflection based on punctuation. To nurture this skill, model expressive reading yourself. You don’t need to perform dramatic voice acting; simply add personality to the characters and infuse excitement into the story.
Any book with dialogue and multiple characters works well; two of my children’s favorites for expressive reading are “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” and “Peanut Butter and Cupcake.”
Technique 5: Examining Pictures
The illustrations in a book are not only entertaining but also crucial for teaching children about context. As kids begin to read independently, teachers encourage them to use context clues to decipher the story’s meaning. Help your children become accustomed to analyzing the illustrations to understand the narrative, identify the setting, and initiate the critical skill of decoding words.
For example, when reading “Corduroy,” ask your child what they notice about the image of Corduroy on the department store shelf. Your child might observe colors, shapes, or objects. When the text aligns with the visuals, point those out to reinforce the connection. You could also share your observations to model this skill and ask your child to identify the story’s setting based on the pictures.
Try incorporating one of these techniques during your next reading session with your child. You may be surprised by how seamlessly they fit into your routine and how much your child will learn, wonder, and enjoy the experience!
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