Reading with your child

Originally published in the Ketchikan Daily News, April 2020; written by Ann Marie Meiresonne.

As we find ourselves sheltering in, slowing down, we may find our selection of books beginning to feel stale as our stash is not refreshed as often as we are used to. Cleaning our home bookshelves may help a bit. I myself have begun rereading a favorite novel at night and reading aloud a classic with my husband, and teenagers when they want to listen. I am hoping this may encourage them to pick up a favorite title to read as well. Although, my college student has plenty to read at this time.

With preschool age children, rereading the same picture books may seem a chore but repeat reading actually is encouraged. The process of reading and rereading and rereading the same picture book should shift from the adult reading to the child taking over more and more of the storytelling. This process, called active reading, is asking questions, making connections, building vocabulary and engaging your child with the text to build your child’s literacy skills.

Having your child talk about the pictures, characters, words, ideas and their taking the lead on telling the story are all ways to build comprehension, background knowledge and story structure all foundation stones for literacy.

When you are rereading a book with your child for the nth time start by asking them the title. As they say the title point to those words, emphasizing word knowledge. Ask them to read the pictures and describe a favorite character ask why they enjoy that character so much. Asking open-ended questions such as, what happens next and why is a character doing this will help your child to make the connections with story structure and with their own lives. This is a time to listen to your child’s ideas and use their ideas to build their language skills.

Active Reading is a technique that requires more time with one book and your child’s lead through the book. The time given to actively engage in the story and allowing the conversation to take a new direction will refresh the reading of this favorite title as well as build literacy skills that if continued can help your child through all of their reading life.

If you want to learn more Read with Me: Engage Your Child in Active Reading by Munro Richardson is a good reference. As well as many trusted web sites such as Reading Rockets have more information regarding Active Reading.

As we wait for the day of regular, library visits to return do not give up on your current at home book collection. Keep reading for enjoyment and engage in your children’s reading life, as this will support their academic success. However, even more so reading together creates comfort and builds up a resilient family.

If you have access to Facebook, we are providing storytimes, song times, craft and science ideas, home care and adult read aloud for anyone to watch. As well as Alaska Digital Library is available to patrons. Questions may be emailed to the library at library@firstcitylibraries.org.