Strategies

BEFORE READING

Read the title and look at the cover together.  "What do you think the story will be about?"
 Flip through the pages of the book and discuss together: "What do you think might happen next?"
Praise your child for attempting to make a prediction.  "Great idea!  I can tell you used the pictures (or other clues)  to help you guess what might happen next!"
Comment on how interested you are to learn what does happen in the story.  "I'm excited to see if any of our guesses were right!  Let's read to find out!"

DURING READING
READING TO YOUR CHILD:
Make sure your child can see the pictures easily.  Use plenty of expression, reading in a natural speaking voice.  Encourage your child to predict what might happen next as the story develops.  As you read, point to each word, sliding your finger along the text.

READING WITH YOUR CHILD:
Begin reading the story to your child at a speed your child is comfortable with.  As you read, your child will begin to pick up the pattern of the story and read with you.  Encourage your child to point to each word, sliding a finger from word to word.  When your child comes to a difficult word, ask:  "Look at the picture.  What word would make sense?"  "Look at the beginning letter of the word.  What word would make sense that begins with that sound?"  "Try reading that whole sentence again.  See if you can think of a word that makes sense."

WHEN YOUR CHILD IS READING:
Your child may need you to introduce the pattern of the story by reading aloud initially.  Once your child feels comfortable reading, enjoy listening to the story being read.

AFTER READING

Talk about the story:  "Were there surprises?"  "What did you like best about the characters or the happenings or the ending?"  Did the story remind you of any other story or of things that have happened to you?"

Ask your child to retell the story in his/her own words.