Articles
Reading Together Reading Alone
By Dr. Marilyn Heins
March 03, 2010
We all read to our babies and toddlers. It's essential for them and good for us. What a great way to parent: off your feet, close to your child, and doing something you both enjoy!
Don't stop! It's a good idea to continue the practice of reading together even when your child has become a skilled reader.
When the child begins to recognize words in the picture book, point to a familiar word and ask the child to read it. When the child is able to read an entire picture book you both enjoyed when you were the reader, ask the child to take over and read the book to you. "We haven't read Tough Boris for a long time. Can you please get the book and read it to ME. I'm tired."
Don't just read to your kids. Going from page one to the end is only one way to read a book together. Put on your teacher cap and pause to ask questions. "Why do you think Boris did that?"
"Why are pirates supposed to be tough?"
When I was tired, sometimes I took a reading break with my feet up in the big bed. Big enough so I could invite the kids to bring their books and join me. Every now and then we played a reading game: each person reads silently for a while. Then you stop and each person tells the others what his or her book is about.
All of the above can be and should be fun. But it's the start of critical reading which your children will need to do when they are in high school and college.
A book is to enjoy, to share, and to learn from at home and at school.
Written by Dr Marilyn Heins. Dr.Heins is a pediatrician and parenting columnist residing in Tucson Arizona. For more information visit www.ParentKidsRight.com.
Back to top
Forward to a Friend
Print This Page
|
