The Importance of Read Alouds: Emphasis on Vocabulary & Comprehension

1. The Importance of Read Alouds: Emphasis on Vocabulary & Comprehension Presented by: Ashley Miller-Tazelaar May 30, 2011

2. Recap! • Let’s recap what you learned at last week’s meeting regarding alphabet knowledge. • Would you like to share something you did at home this past week to promote your child’s alphabet knowledge? • Any questions you have?

3. What Exactly is a Read Aloud? • Reading aloud to your child! • Interactive read alouds provide the opportunity to promote literacy and have fun at the same time! • An interactive read aloud involves being engaged with the text. Stop and talk about what you are reading, explain things, ask questions, make comments, etc. (Bennett-Armistead, et al., 2007, p.123 )

4. Why Should I Read Aloud to My Child? • One obvious reason—for FUN! • Reading aloud builds letter sound knowledge. • Reading aloud helps your child develop concepts of print. • Reading aloud to children helps their comprehension. • Reading aloud to children increases their vocabulary. • Reading aloud increases your child’s knowledge about the world. (Bennett-Armistead, et al., 2005, p. 65)

5. First and Foremost--Have Fun! • Snuggle in with your child as you read. • Encourage your child to be a participant during the read aloud—either by reading along, asking questions, making comments, turning pages, etc. • Take cues from your child. If he/she has difficulty sitting still, think about reading in short chunks. • Encourage all family members to read aloud to your child! • Find books that involve movement (Eyes, Nose, Fingers, and Toes, by Judith Hindley) (Bennett-Armistead, et al., 2005, p. 124). (Bennett-Armistead, et al., 2005, p. 66)

6. Building Vocabulary • To help develop your child’s vocabulary during a read aloud, it is important to take the time to explain and talk about important new words in the text (Bennett-Armistead, et al., 2005, p. 76). • Take time to talk about vocabulary words before, during, and after a read aloud (Bennett-Armistead, et al., 2005, p. 77). • Try to use the new words in your every day life! (Bennett-Armistead, et al., 2007, p. 135).

7. Comprehension • Comprehension is our ability to make sense of what we read. • During read alouds you can encourage your child’s comprehension by doing many things. • Ask questions about what you are reading (think about open ended questions vs. closed questions that only require a yes/no answer) • Have a conversation about the book. • Make connections between the book and your child’s life, or between the book and another book your child has read. (Bennett-Armistead, et al., 2007, p. 139)

8. Where Should Read Alouds Take Place? • ANYWHERE! • Be creative when thinking about where to read aloud. • Some suggestions include: outside, in a cozy “nook” in the house, in the bathtub, in a tent. • One of my daughter’s favorite read aloud “nooks” in our house is in our living room behind a chair that is angled in a corner. She has a pile of blankets and pillows stashed behind the chair to make it extra cozy!

9. Activity Suggestion • As the weather is getting warmer, is your child excited to spend more time outside? • If so, try this! • Pick a spot to read outside such as under a tree, on the front or back porch, in the yard, etc. • Choose a book related to the outdoors and/or something your child is interested in. (Bennett-Armistead, et al., 2007, p. 179-180) • My daughter loves to feed the birds and chipmunks that come to our feeders, so I may choose a book about birds or chipmunks to read aloud outside. We may even see them while we are reading!

10. How Should I Select Books to Read Aloud? • Choose books that have rich language and a compelling plot. • Make sure non-fiction books have correct information. • Choose books by well known, respected authors/illustrators (ask a librarian, friend, teacher, etc. for recommendations). • Choose books based on your child’s interests. • Choose books from a wide variety of genres. (Bennett-Armistead, et al., 2007, p. 40)

11. Book Suggestions • I brought a few examples of suggested books for read alouds. Feel free to take a look at the end of our session. • I will also provide a handout with a list of great books to read aloud for all ages.

12. Questions? • Feel free to contact me if you have a question after you leave. My email is: mill1002@msu.edu. • Tonight’s meeting concludes our series of parent meetings. • I will send an email regarding future opportunities for parent meetings. • Thank you for coming and have a great evening!

13. References Bennett-Armistead, V. S., Duke, N. K., Moses, A. M. (2007). Beyond bedtime stories: A parent’s guide to promoting reading, writing, and other literacy skills from birth to 5. New York: Scholastic.  Bennett-Armistead, V. S., Duke, N. K., & Moses, A. M. (2005). Literacy and the youngest learner: Best practices for educators of children from birth to 5. New York: Scholastic.