• Use these tips to guide you during your read aloud time with your child! 
     
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    Start reading to your child when they are young!    
    Immerse your home with reading materials- books, magazines, newspapers, etc! 
     Lead by example.  Show them how important reading is by making it part of your day.  
     When reading a predictable story, pause at a key word or phrase and have your child guess which word comes next. 
    Set aside one special time during the day for a story.  
    Always read a book's title, author, and illustrator to your child, EACH time you read a book. 
    Upon reading a new book, look at the cover with your child and ask them what they think the book is going to be about.  
    Stop during the reading of a book and ask your child to predict what they think is going to happen next.  
    On certain occasions, take the time to read above your child's intellectual level to challenge their mind. 
     If you run out of time while reading a long chapter, stop at a suspenseful part to engage your child's interest and desire to continuing reading later. 
     If resuming a story from a previous read aloud, be sure to review with your child what they/you have already read.
     Use expression when reading, change your voice to fit the dialogue and characters!
     Adjust your pace while reading.  Lower your voice and slow your reading during suspenseful parts of a story.  
     When reading, don't rush the moment.  Read slowly, allowing your child to build mental pictures in their head while listening.  
    When applicable, add a "third dimension" to your storytelling. For example, if reading, "If You Give A Dog A Donut," have a donut for your child to eat after the story is finished. 
    Track the stories that you are reading.  Create a sticker chart or a growing caterpillar on the wall, with book titles written upon it.  
    If your child is a reluctant reader or someone who is highly active, don't be scared to give them a piece of paper and some crayons to doodle with while they listen to the story.  
     Take the opportunity to read a book while traveling on road trips.
     Have a "babysitter book basket" ready for babysitters when they come to your house. Encourage reading over television!
    ATTENTION FATHERS:  Take every opportunity you can to read to your child.  A father's involvement with reading can promote great positive thoughts towards reading for a child.  
     
     
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     Don't start reading if you don't have time to do it justice.  
     Try not to get too comfortable during your reading session.  Laying down slows your heart rate and blood flow, thus sending less oxygen to your brain,  often making you tired. 
     Don't just close the book and end your reading session, allow for an opportunity to discuss the story with your child.  Children who regularly discuss stories, tend to do better in school.  
     Don't threaten to take away story time if your child won't do their chores, listen, etc.  As soon as you start using a book as a weapon, your child's attitude towards books changes from positive to negative. 
     Don't offer television or books -"That's like saying to a nine-year old, 'Which do you want, vegetables or a donut?'  Since you are the adult, you choose.  'The television goes off at eight in this house.  If you want a story before bed, that's fine.  If not, that's fine too. But no television after eight.' Don't let books appear to be responsible for depriving the children of viewing time."
     Don't be scared to answer questions (book-related) during the reading.  There isn't a time limit to your reading time.  As long as your child isn't trying to simply delay going to bed, take the time to answer their questions.  Good readers think during reading and therefore, may come up with questions they want answers to.
    List derived from Jim Trelease's: Read Aloud Handbook