(Image by Matthew Henry from Burst)

Have you read to your child today? Yesterday? Last week? Chances are you’re like most parents and you’re too busy, or you think you’ll get to it tomorrow. Here lies the problem: Once our children learn to read, many of us parents eliminate a very important and special time we share with them.

Did you know that when children read aloud it creates an endless opportunity for them to learn about the world, experience new and exciting adventures, and even better, it develops their literacy and vocabulary?

This interaction between you and your child is one of the most important reading activities you can do and studies have found that the modeling of reading strategies by adult readers is vital in helping kids become better, more active readers.  

Sounds easy, doesn’t it?

Try these variations to keep it fun and interesting:

• Change the types of books you read and take turns reading to each other.
• Talk about the book and find out what they think about it.  What does it remind them of? How would they change the ending? 
• Praise, praise, praise.
• Recognize when they use mature vocabulary and language.
• Kids love to be spontaneous – let them and don’t interrupt!!!
• Most importantly, make this a special time and one you both look forward to. 

Reading aloud to your children is a great home activity – give it try, RIGHT NOW.

About the Author

Janice Migliazza, M.Ed. Reading Specialist. Janice is the founder of Neighborhood Lit. and The At-Home Academy and has been teaching small group reading enrichment since 2004. She is a graduate of Rider College with a NJ certification for grades K-12 and received her Master of Science in Education as a Reading Specialist from Monmouth University.