3 Ways You Should be Reading with Your Child
Do you want a smart kid?
Of course, you do. Everyone wants to raise intelligent children. Well, one single activity can help you do just that.
Read to your child!
That’s it? That’s all?
Pretty much, yes, but if you need a few tips on ways you can get more out of reading with your child, here they are.
- Read with emotion and inflection.
Have you ever listened to those computerized voices speak aloud to you? Or worse, read to you? It isn’t the easiest thing to understand or listen to, because it sounds boring. Computer voices don’t use any inflections or emphasis to make the information more interesting. You want to make your reading time with your child a better experience than that!
It helps if the story you read to your child is something you are also engaged in, but even if you are reading his favorite story for what seems like the hundredth time, make an effort to read with an interesting tone.
Use voices or accents if you feel comfortable with it. You might feel silly, but your child will love it, even if your Scottish accent sounds more like Irish.
- Sit side by side as you read.
This is particularly helpful for young children. Of course, if it’s a picture book, you likely can’t get away without sitting next to your child (because she will want to see the pictures). Another reason you should let your child see the page, however, is to help her grow comfortable with the idea of reading herself.
Even if your child does not yet read, move your index finger beneath the words as you’re reading them. Your child will grow accustom to the direction and flow of words and sentences. What is more, she will likely begin to recognize familiar words and soon start reading them herself.
- Talk about what you read.
A story does not have to be filled with facts in order for you to talk about it. If your child is young, you can observe and point out numbers, shapes, colors in a picture book. If he’s a little older, you can discuss expressions on faces or other fine details in pictures.
With children ages five and older, you can also begin to discuss the content of the story itself. Ask questions like, “What do you think Sandra meant when she said that?” or “How do you think you would have responded if Chris made a comment like that to you?”
Also let your child ask you questions. Don’t be in such a hurry to finish the story that you miss a teachable moment. You never know what discussion or observation might linger in your child’s mind and make a lasting impression.
Closing Thoughts
The above point is why reading with your child is such a great activity! It’s a way for your child to experience events, hold conversations, learn lessons, and understand life from new perspectives. This is how your child can grow in empathy and understanding, yet in a safe and comfortable position through the avenue of story. And best of all, you’re at their side, reading to them, experiencing with them, and hopefully learning a few new things as well.
Your Dill Blogger & also a mom – Bonita Jewel
