Reading To, With, and By Your Child

"Reading To, With, and By Children" is the title of a book by Margaret Mooney, an educator in New Zealand. She presents the stages of reading. She also talks about the importance of children being read to aloud, reading together with children, and allowing children to read independently by themselves. They are all helpful to children in allowing them to listen to language, read, and say language.

1) Read to children
2) Read with children
3) Reading done by children independently

Many don't understand how to read WITH their child or "share read. Students who listen while following the words in a book gain confidence. When they are reading and don't know a word, if the word is given to them, they can continue reading and understand what they read. Parents don't need to tell their child EVERY word. But if a child can't read more than 10 words in a simple book, they are likely to get frustrated and not have the comprehension to enjoy the book.

Sit next to each other or use two copies of the same book and read together. Start reading and allow them to complete the sentences or say words they know. Pause for a second and allow them to say the next word, finish a rhyme, or point to the picture in the part of the sentence that matches the word. Kids can get very good at following along and reading together. When a student struggles with a word and tries to sound it out, but still doesn't say the word correctly, say the word for them. The key is for the child to have good comprehension and ENJOY reading! Make it fun. Afterwards, talk about the story. Find out their favorite parts. Ask them to retell part or all of the story. This is one of my favorite thing to do. Enjoy!
Alisa