The Take Home Book Program

A school-based program of family literacy

Reading Aloud for Parents

One of the most effective ways to support a child’s language and reading development is for parents to read stories aloud to their child and with their child at home. Parents need to read aloud on a regular daily basis.

Sit in a quiet place so that both you and your child can see the pictures and the words of the book. Show your interest and most of all, enjoy the time together.

Before Reading

With your child read the title of the book and the names of the author and the illustrator.

• Look at the picture on the cover and discuss what the story might be about.

During Reading  

• Read slowly and create a sense of fun by reading in an expressive voice.
• Explain words and parts of the story that your child does not understand.
• Pause occasionally and ask a question. “What do you think will happen next?” or “Why do you think he did that?”
• Encourage your child to join in and read a repeating line or a rhyming word.

After Reading  

• Talk about the story with your child and listen carefully to your child’s ideas. Children learn by talking about the stories they read.
• Talk about experiences in your child’s life that are similar to those in the book.
• Reread stories.
• Ask your child to draw a picture and write or dictate a sentence about something in the story that was interesting to him or her. Your child may wish to draw and write about a favorite character. If your child dictates the sentence, you can write it and your child can copy it onto their drawing. Be sure to print the letters carefully, leave a big space between the words, and put a period at the end. Make sure the idea in the sentence is your child’s idea.

Reading aloud, discussing the stories you read, drawing a picture and writing about the stories will extend your child’s enjoyment of reading and give your child an opportunity to practice the skills he or she is learning in school.