Ask the Reading Coach: A Parent Resource Guide to Storybook Read-Alouds

Reading together with your child is one of the most rewarding experiences any parent can have. The thoughtful exchanges that take place during these shared reading experiences are not only a source of joy for both parent and child, but can have long-term effects on your child's success as a reader. How can we use these shared experiences as valued learning opportunities?

The gains of reading together at home are seemingly infinite: building knowledge of new vocabulary; providing opportunities for children to listen to fluent reading; developing knowledge of story elements; modeling thinking and questioning strategies; building comprehension; and increasing motivation to read, just to name a few. The time to support and nurture these skills is indeed in early and middle childhood - both at school and at home.

So, now that we have some rationale and some background, are we ready to add more fun to our shared reading experiences? OK then! Let’s get started!

To begin, when reading to your child at home, ask questions!  Questioning strategies encourage curiosity, promote discovery, foster inquiry and invite children to confidently develop an independent pursuit of knowledge.

Reading a "bedtime story" is a wonderful first step - but, it's important that we as parents and educators realize how this truly is a first step - that it is the "book talk" - i.e. the fertile discourse that permeates these shared reading sessions – the “talk beyond the text”, as it were - that truly develops and extends each child's potential for lifelong reading success.

 Some ideas for questioning / discussion starters: 

1.  "What would you do next if you were that character?" (open-ended, give an example)
2.  "How would you help the character if you were a character in this story?"
3.  “Did you ever feel the same way as (the character’s name)?" ... "When, Where?" (skill: developing empathy for characters) - Models connections.
4.  "Why do you think he returned to see the Wizard in the forest?"
5.  “How would you describe the character in the story (provide some examples, model this skill with your own suggestions) … Where / when does he/she demonstrate those traits? (encourage use of textual evidence)

It is vital that we, too, model inquiry and "Wonder Aloud" for children. We naturally have questions as we read. It is the modeling of these questions, these inquiries, that fosters inquiry and deepens knowledge in young children.

When reading together at home this week, try this fun strategy:

Model new Vocabulary: 

This skill is key to comprehension. When you come across a new word in a bedtime story, model word discovery skills for your child: "Hmm, (wonder-aloud strategy) I wonder what this new word could mean ..." and then see where he/she takes the conversation. Provide some examples of how you would use this new word in everyday life. Then, discuss how you might use the plot development to provide support in your own word-discovery journey. Here you are modeling, once again. You can also provide synonyms for your child for these unfamiliar words. Then, use those words in your everyday life and shared experiences. 

One example: In Eric Carle’s text, The Very Lonely Firefly, the Firefly is described as "glittering, shimmering, sparkling, glowing" in the night. Provide background on these descriptive words. Then, invite your child to use the new terms in daily practice together, thus giving the new vocabulary authentic use and meaningful purpose.

These learning opportunities will give you solid results in improving your child's reading comprehension. Here, you are modeling your sense of inquiry, you're valuing reading and its abundant opportunities for discovery, and you’re embracing new words, while modeling your confidence. This is an invaluable skill, as a self-confident reader is a successful reader.

Fun idea: Come up with an A to Z list of topics, characters, or elements of plot development from each new story! Kids love this idea, it is fun, creative, and collaborative. These fun “brainstorm lists” of new terms can later be made into a book or poster ~ all leading to increased comprehension!  (see a future blog for 10 top reading gains from A to Z vocab lists!)

Once a good book is opened, the opportunities are so plentiful for activating prior knowledge, talking about real-world connections, and generating new ideas!

Join us for next week’s “Ask the Reading Coach” blog, which will cover the topic “Raising a Self-Confident Reader”.

Happy Reading!

Carolyn Polchinski, M.S.Ed. is a Clinical Professor of Literacy Education and Licensed Learning Specialist based out of Scarsdale. To learn more about the programs she offers, call 914.325.0297 or email CPolchin7@aol.com. You can also read .