Reading
Reading aloud to children:
7 steps to making it magical
Find a brilliant book
Quality picture books lend themselves to reading aloud to young children. They often have rich rhythms and rhymes, stunning illustrations and engaging characters with whom we can all connect. It’s worth the hunt – at school, the library or local bookshop and involving your child in choosing too. If there’s time try and read it to yourself first so you know how it flows.
Some of my favourites to read aloud to young children are:
– Shark in the Park, by Nick Sharratt
– We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
– Oi Dog! by Kes and Claire Gray
– There’s a Bear on my Chair, by Ross Collins
– Dogger, by Shirley Hughes
– Can’t you Sleep Little Bear, by Martin Waddell
Choose a comfy spot
Turn off the TV and your phone and settle down together, perhaps with your child’s favourite cuddly toy to listen in too! It is often said readers are raised on their parents’ laps, so get comfortable and hold the book so you can both see it. This is your special time together.
Begin the journey
Read the title aloud and the author’s name and spend some time just looking together at the cover together, you might point things out, wonder aloud what’s going to happen to a particular character but let your child comment too. If you wish read the back cover blurb too, tempting your child with the snippets offered and chatting about what the book appears to be about.
Read, relax and respond
Open it up unhurriedly and begin to read the first few pages of the text, reading slowly and expressively before you pause, so you’ve begun to tempt your child in to the tale. Relax; there is no right way to do this! Being responsive to your child’s reactions is important. If they comment, ask questions or are looking closely at a picture, pause and respond, their relaxed attentive involvement is a joy to see and deserves your encouragement.
Chat about the book
Far from being a one-sided experience, reading aloud should be interactive, full of young children’s observations, responses to the text and meaningful book chat.
An informal chat about a book is an important part of helping children enjoy and understand a story. As you read aloud, pause now and again to talk about what is happening, how the characters are behaving, and what might happen next. Encourage your child to make links between the story and people, places or events in their own life, as this helps them connect personally with the story and make sense of it in a meaningful way.
Bring the book to life
Don’t rush, but do keep the flow of the story going (there will be plenty of time to examine it further on a 2nd/3rd reading!), so whilst at times you’ll stop to chat, at others, hold the telling space and have fun! Add in noises, emphasis, intonation and colour by using your voice to bring the book to life. No-one is watching and your child will enjoy it more and join in with your actions, facial expressions and any repeating lines.
Finish with space to think
As you reach the last page, slow down and let the story reach its end with emphasis. Then pause, looking intently at the page yourself to think about the tale, don’t rush to asking questions, allow some thinking space and let your child guide you. They may choose to look back through it, may demand it ‘again!’ or may scramble down in search of another. There’s no need to discuss it, but if they’re looking through it they may want to talk more about it.
A Guide to Book Chat
Recommended Reads
It is not always easy to know which books to choose for your child.
The lists below, created by 'Books for Topics', have been designed to help parents and schools pick out the best books for children from nursery and pre-school age to Year 6.
Specialist books
(click on the headings for the links)
> Dyslexic Readers
These books have been specifically designed for dyslexic readers; they have a dyslexic-friendly layout, typeface and paperstock.
> First Chapter Books
These are great books for young children who have just launched into independent reading. Or, they're great for adult bedtime stories for those who are first learning to read.
> Reluctant Readers
Year 5 and 6
> Reluctant Readers Year 3 and 4
These books are great for hooking in readers that aren't always interested in reading.
> Great Non-Fiction
For readers that have a passion for information and knowledge, these books have interesting facts and strong visual elements to keep young readers engaged, informed and entertained.
> Diversity & Inclusion
Making a variety of diverse children's books available is important to every child. There are some wonderful stories in this list which feature a wide range of voices to help children to develop empathy and inclusion, as well as build a more realistic view of the world.
Library
In addition, the library has lots of e-books that you can access on-line using your library card number and PIN.
- https://lincolnshirelibraries.overdrive.com/library/kids
(if you are not yet a member, you can join on-line)
E-Books and Audio Books
There are also links to access e-books and audio books for free below.
- Oxford Owl Free e-books for all age groups
- Storyline A wide range of free books being read aloud.
- Spotify Audio books for children - sign up for free to access
- Audible Free Audio books for children on audible
- Freebooksy Website with links to free e-books on kindle. Download the kindle app for free, to start reading.
- Book Trust Lots of lovely interactive books to read online or watch with signing.