Love Your Reading

1. Love Your Reading • The single most important thing you can do to encourage your child to enjoy reading is help them choose the “just-right” book.

2. What is the “Just-Right” book? • It is interesting! • It is easy to read! • Five finger rule

3. What about reading to my child? • This is a wonderful activity no matter how old the child. • This can be enriched through “book conversations” that may occur before, during, and after reading.

4. What are book conversations? • Look at the cover and the pictures and make predictions about what the book is about. • While reading, make more predictions about what will happen next. Check and change predictions while you read. • Make connections from your life to the book you are reading. Encourage your child to do this. • After reading, talk about your favorite parts of the story and explain why you liked them.

5. Book Conversations:Ask Children to Tell You More • • Ask Elaborated Questions. • Ask questions about the story & the pictures. • When children answer, help them to elaborate on what they said. • In other words, help them to tell you more. • The adult asks, “Ah, what’s that?” • Child: A big, red mouth. • She asks, “A big, red mouth with what? • Child says: “Teeth!”

6. Book Conversations:Phonological Awareness and speech sounds. • Phonological Awareness refers to children’s ability to pay attention to: • • Rhymes, syllables, & speech sounds • Model sounds that are difficult for your child to say • Ex: ‘I sssssee a sssssssnake’

7. Teach “Theory of Mind” • This refers to the thoughts, feelings, & intentions of the story characters. • Adults can read the story & help children discuss the thoughts of the story characters. Ask, “What are the animals thinking/feeling? • Awareness and expression of own feelings • Appropriate ways to express feelings

8. Vocabulary • Too often kids are more concerned with properly pronouncing words instead of understanding word meaning. • Ask 'Do you know what this means?' when your child reads an unfamiliar word. • Talk to your child about a variety of things using new words. Be sure to push your child by using higher level words. • Explain everyday activities using vocabulary specifically associated with those activities. • VIDEO

9. Game Suggestions • Play games that involve vocabulary, such as: • Scrabble • Boggle • Charades • Apples to Apples • This investment will pay off as your child develops their vocabulary and excels in school. Plus it's fun and the whole family can benefit

10. The National Reading Panel says… • Your journey is beginning! • Your child is developing as a reader and writer every day. • Reading skills begin developing through talk and communication with you. Conversation is the first literacy lesson! • Read to your child EVERY day to provide a strong foundation. • Limit screen time and increase “lap time” and dinner conversation.

11. Five Pillars of Reading Instruction • Phonemic Awareness • Phonics and Concepts about Print • Fluency • Vocabulary • Comprehension • Hand outs are available.

12. 7:00 Session • At 7:00 please accompany your youngest child to their next session. • Until then, enjoy looking at the books and handouts. • If you do not want your picture on the internet, please let Bev Harmon know!