| How can I help my child learn to read? |
| Children learn to read similar to the way they learned to talk... How do children learn to talk? HOME 1. Children are surrounded by talk. 2. Parents expect that their child will learn to talk. 3. Children decide what they want to say and when they want to talk. 4. Children have lots of opportunities to practise. 5. Children get positive feedback for every small success. When a baby says his/her first word, the parent immediately celebrates each and every new word with enthusiasm. 6. Children are talked to, and are talked with a lot. 7. Children want to learn and take an active part. excerpt from "RAISING READERS" YRDSB |
| How do children learn to read? 1. Children are surrounded by print - magazines, newspapers, books, shopping lists, coupons, letters, bills etc. 2. Parents and children expect that they will learn to read. If reading is expected because it is a pleasure, enjoyed by everyone in the household, then the child will mimic this behaviour. 3. Children think that reading is meaningful and important. This occurs when reading is something that happens routinely in the home. 4. Children are given many opportunities to practise reading (turn off the tv). 5. Children are given positive feedback for trying to learn. They pick up the book and tell their own story. These attempts are important. They are practising the art of storytelling, sequencing, how to hold a book, how to turn the pages, etc. These skills must be practised and celebrated so that the next steps become easier. 6. Children are read to and read with a lot - bedtime, bathtime, anytime! 7. Children want to read and take part in reading activities. The more pleasure they get from print, the more they will practise. The more they practise, the better they become. The better they become, the more pleasure they will derive from print. excerpt from "RAISING READERS" YRDSB |
| Reading Aloud - Introducing a New Book "The single most important activitiy for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children." Becoming a Nation of Readers, 1997. 1. Choose the book carefully. -Is the story interesting? -Are the words suitable? -It's a good idea to read the book first. 2. Before you begin, talk about the story. -discuss the cover, author, title, ideas in the story -ask your child to predict what the story will be about using the pictures -connect the story to the past experiences that your child already knows about 3. During the reading, ask a few, simple questions about... -what is happening in the pictures? -why something happened? -what might happen next? -read with expression using a dramatic voice. 4. After the reading, talk to your child about... -what the book was actually about? -which predictions were right? -what feeling(s) they had after reading the book? -what part(s) were special for them? -whether they liked the story or not? excerpt from "RAISING READERS" YRDSB |
| Things to Remember! 1. Read with your child every day. 2. Organize a daily quiet time so reading can happen. 3. Make reading a social occasion with cuddling, talking, joking. 4. Buy or borrow books and other reading material. 5. Be a model of adult reading and show an interest in books. 6. Praise your child for at least one success daily. excerpt from "RAISING READERS" YRDSB |
| Can I read to my child in my own language? It is important to read to your child in your own language. Reading to your child at home does not have to be in English. Reading in any language allows your child to learn many things such as: the features of the language, the script carries the message, and concepts introduced through the story or text. Your child is hearing fluent and expressive reading. There is a transference to the second language learning. The more literate a child is in his/her first language, the more easily he/she can learn a second language. If you are not available to read to your child, encourage older siblings or grandparents to read. It is very important to read to your child in any language. excerpt from "RAISING READERS" YRDSB |
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