Tips and strategies for reading aloud

Using reading-aloud tips and strategies, educators should model enthusiasm for books and reading. Both educators, and ultimately parents, play an important role in ensuring that your preschoolers participate during read-aloud time.

Tips on how to read aloud

Think about your speaking style. If you know you speak fast, for example, make an effort to slow down when you read. Conversely, speeding up a bit if you tend to speak and read slowly can help keep your child engaged. Read with expression, shop stay within your comfort zone. If you are not comfortable trying something new, your child will be too.

If you find that your child is losing interest, feel free to skip paragraphs, paraphrase, or, in some cases, stop. Remember, the goal is to make your sessions fun and enjoyable. You can always come back to that story at another time if you think it’s worth it.

Other reading-aloud tips to keep you interested

• Invite your partner to guess what will happen next
• Provide a repeated word or phrase
• Share reading turns if you are able and comfortable reading aloud.
• Vary the length of the stories and the type of book.
• Allow the “wigglers” to move around the floor as you read (as long as they are quiet and attentive)
• Invite restless preschoolers to draw or work on a puzzle while you read.

Invite children who want to participate in reading aloud to do so, but do not require them to “say it” or “practice reading silently.” Instead, she is showing an enthusiasm for books and reading for her preschoolers.

Tips for choosing to read aloud

• When choosing books, strike a balance between following children’s preferences and inviting some of them to try new types of books. Some children can never hear too many dinosaur stories, others may love fairy books. Follow their lead, but also submit an occasional book of a different kind to expand children’s horizons and spark new interests. Say “Sounds like a good story. Let’s try it!” This may be the beginning of exciting new discoveries. However, if children express disappointment, either verbally or with body language, move on to something else.
• Also try reading books that talk about different family ethnic backgrounds or family situations. Use the background of your ELLs (English Learners) as a guide. It is comforting to hear about people from your own ethnic group. It is also interesting, of course, to hear about other towns and places.
• Feel free to repeat children’s favorite stories. By listening to a story over and over again, soon even a young child can “read” it by heart and feel like a reader.
• From time to time, read stories that are outside of your child’s skill range. Younger children enjoy listening to books beyond their own reading abilities, and older preschoolers enjoy rereading a good book even if it is well below their ability or age level.
• Expand your options beyond the common opinions about “boys” and “girls” books. Well-written and interesting stories will attract children’s attention, whatever the theme or gender of the central character.

Tips for Teaching Reading Aloud: What to Avoid

• Be careful reading scary stories until you know the child well enough to assess whether he or she would enjoy them. Many kids five and older like ghouls, but others are genuinely traumatized by certain stories. Be especially careful with scary illustrations. Adults often remember being really scared in childhood by a picture in a book.
• Look out for TV or movie versions of good children’s books. Some versions of the media can be too violent and not captivating for a young reader.

Remember, a good read aloud should encourage early literacy, so you’ll want to model your enthusiasm for books and reading for children. Keep creating engaging and enjoyable literacy experiences that nurture a child’s growth as a reader and writer.