4Dec
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 their young preschool children are engaged during read aloud time.

Tips on how to read aloud

Think about your style of speaking. If you know you’re talking 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 interested. Read with expression, shop stay within your comfort zone. If you’re uncomfortable trying something new, your child will be too.

If you find your child 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 maintain interest

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

Invite children who wish to participate in reading aloud to do so, but do not require them to “speak aloud” or “practice reading silently.” Instead, she’s modeling an enthusiasm for books and reading for her little preschoolers.

Tips for choosing to read aloud

  • When choosing books, find a balance between following children’s preferences and inviting some of them to try new types of books. Some children can never listen to too many dinosaur stories, others may love fairy books. Follow her lead, but also introduce an occasional book of a different kind to expand the kids’ 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 their disappointment, either verbally or through body language, move on.
  • Try to also read books that talk about different family ethnic backgrounds or family situations. Use the background of your ELLs (English Language Learners) as a guide. It is reassuring to hear about people from one’s own ethnic group. It is also interesting, of course, to hear about other towns and places.
  • Feel free to repeat the children’s favorite stories. By listening to a story over and over again, soon even a small child can “read” it by heart and feel like a reader.
  • From time to time, read stories outside of your child’s range of abilities. Younger children enjoy listening to books beyond their own reading abilities and older preschoolers enjoy reviewing a good book, even if it is well below their ability or age level.
  • Expand your choices beyond the common views of “boy” and “girl” books. Interesting, well-written stories will capture children’s attention, whatever the theme or genre 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 gauge whether he or she would enjoy them. Many five-year-olds and older children like the macabre, but others are really traumatized by certain stories. Be especially careful with scary illustrations. Adults often remember being really scared in childhood by a picture in a book.
  • Watch for TV or movie versions of good children’s books. Some media versions may be too violent and not engaging for a young reader.

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