The Power of Reading to Your Child

1. The Power of Reading to Your Child

2. Begin with the End in Mind! If your child’s doctor told you that you could possibly prevent your child from ever having health problems in the future, what would you do? Would you jump at the chance?

3. What about Reading? • Research shows that reading TO your child is the single most important factor in contributing to his/her reading success. • What are your current thoughts about reading to your child/children? -quiz 

4. What in the World Do These Numbers Mean? Why are they important? 1 10 15 25 85 1000 Hint: Look out for and listen for these numbers

5. What does the research tell us about reading in general? • Reading is fundamental! • 85% of all learning relies on being able to read • The more a child reads, the better they read.

6. Hmmm… So, I bet your question is “How will my child become a better reader if I am the one doing the reading?”

7. Think About It… “If we have to talk to children in order for them to learn to talk, what does that say about reading?” - Mem Fox

8. Let’s Brainstorm! How might reading aloud to your child/children help them to become better readers ?

9. The Basics Children have to understand the spoken word before they can read and understand the words in a book.

10. The Connection of Reading to your Child and Language Development • A child’s brain is only 25% developed at birth! • “The crucial connections that determine how clever, creative and imaginative a child will be are already laid by the time a child turns 1.” -Mem Fox

11. The Connection of Reading to Your Child and Language Development-continued • Reading to your child usually initiates conversation about the story and the pictures. • You are able to help your child make connections to life experiences, other stories and what may be happening in the world. • You have the opportunity to introduce your child to new vocabulary.

12. Some of the Possibilities • Your child will gain a sense of story and realize that meaning is the foundation for reading. • You will introduce your child to book language. Ex. “Once upon a time”, “They lived happily ever after”. • Modeling will enable your child to learn basic concepts about print (how books and print work).

13. Reading to Your Child also Provides Optimal Opportunities for Developing Comprehension ! • Making Connections (relate the story/book to themselves, to other books, or events going on in the world) • Making Predictions about what may happen • Drawing Conclusions/Inferring • Retelling and Summarizing

14. Other Benefits You May Have Not Considered… • Reading aloud helps children acquire active listening skills • Reading aloud aids in teaching children how to concentrate/build stamina • Reading aloud helps children become thinkers and problem solvers • Reading aloud helps children learn to express their thoughts

15. The Most Important Benefit Developing a Connection and Bonding with your Child!!!

16. So What Can You Do as a Parent? • Begin reading to your child ASAP! • Read a variety of books. The types of books will change over time (examples). • Make reading enjoyable! • Consistent Routines-(15 minutes) • Relaxing and comfortable environment • Books that interests your child-Favorites • Organize into boxes or baskets • Incorporate writing • Make books (photo album activities)

17. What You Can Do as a Parent-cont • Take your child to the library -It is most beneficial if children have heard 1000 stories read aloud before learning to read on their own! • Bring books to read on a car trip, or let them hear books on tape.

18. What You Can Do as a Parent-cont. • Limit the time that your child spends playing video games and watching TV! Did you know that research shows that your child should spend no more than 10 hours per WEEK watching TV? Research also shows that the more a child watches TV, the less proficient they become and grades often drop. -Jim Trelease

19. Some Reminders for an Effective Read Aloud Experience • Always read the title, the author and illustrator and talk about the front of the book. • Look at the pictures first to get an idea about the story before reading a book to your child for the first time. • Point while you are reading. • Let your child turn the pages. • Talk about the story and the pictures.

20. Additional Reminders • Ask questions while reading the book to make sure your child is understanding the story. • Look for opportunities to play little games with the stories/book to teach concepts. • Have a discussion about the book at the end…but don’t quiz them. • Help them build connections with real life experiences.

21. Make it FUN! • Read in different character voices • Sound expressive and change your speech to fast or slow for dramatic effects • Make sure you grab your child’s attention on the first line/page • Don’t act as a teacher, but an entertainer instead • If a book has been made into a movie, go watch it together

22. What is the Payoff? It conditions the child to associate reading with pleasure. If they associate reading with pleasure, they will more than likely choose to read on their own. If they choose to read on their own, they will likely become a successful reader. If they become a successful reader, they will probably be a successful student. And if they become a successful student, imagine what they can become!!!

23. Don’t Believe Me? “ Research shows that students who read the most-read the best, achieve the most, and stay in school the longest REGARDLESS of race, sex, nationality or socioeconomic background." -Jim Trelease

24. A World of Endless Possibilities… The more you read the more things you will know. The more that you learn the more places you’ll go. --Dr. Seuss