Reading with your child? - Start with a picture walk!

Reading with your child ? – Start with a picture walk!

      What is a picture walk? It is a pre-reading technique that helps your child develop an understanding of a story and promotes story related language. Why take the time for a picture walk? It stimulates and keeps your child’s interest in the book.  It also provides visual cues for them when you go back to read the story. Picture walks help improve comprehension and build skills necessary for independent reading. I guarantee after doing a picture walk the next time you read you will see your little bookworms eyes light up with more recognition as you let them turn the pages.

      First let me give you a pre-reading heads up! – TALK to your kids! Those little brains are scanning your every move. They are recording everything you do and say, so talk about everything, what your doing, what your seeing, what your hearing.  Yes, people will look at you funny at the grocery when your labeling all the fruits out loud but your little one will love the interaction. Before you know it your tot will be pointing fruits out to you! Apples, pears and bananas, oh my!!!

             Expose your little reader to the alphabet. You can find tons of letter books, puzzles and simple flash cards; the old-fashioned LETTER BLOCKS are one of our favorites!  Let your child explore by letting them play with these things both independently and with you. Don’t forget the classic ABC song!  We sing it daily in our house! Each time we sing it more letters make it in to the serenade. Check out Leapfrog products! They have all kinds of letter and phonic recognition educational toys and videos. You will be amazed when your little Einstein starts pointing out letters in the environment. My daughter started pointing out letters on the overhead signs at the grocery store. Brilliant!

            Our daughter has always been drawn to books even before she could walk. In fact, our little bookworm will independently go into her room throughout the day, grab a book and start thumbing through it.  Genius I tell you! I firmly believe its because we exposed her to books and immersed her in the alphabet early on.            

            We always read to our daughter right before bedtime.  This creates a great wind down time. We have a little bookshelf in her room packed with books for her to choose from. We guide her choose one book, which will always turn into at least one more, most likely two, especially when daddy’s reading! Sometimes she wants to read the same one again…and again!  We snuggle in down on the floor and start each new book with a picture walk.  

Here’s how we do it!

·      Show and tell your kiddo about the book itself. Show them this is the front cover, back cover, and spine of the book. Show them the spine holds the pages together, I always tickle my daughters back and say just like your spine holds you together.  I do this with her every night at story time! It takes just a couple seconds! And you get a giggle to boot!

·      Visit the front cover. Ask your tot to make a prediction. What do you think this book is going to be about? What do you see here? I think it might be about…Lets see! Show your little bookworm the title page. Read the title aloud.

·      Explain that the pictures are called illustrations and that they show the story. (Yes, Introduce your little sponge to the big word illustration it will sink right in!) Page through the book talking about the illustrations.  Ask your child what they think is happening in them.  Point out the characters, objects, and colors.  If there are animals, have your child make the animal sound.  Make the sounds together. Our daughter loves to hear us ROAR!

·      Now its time for the story!!! YAY!

·      Go back to the beginning of the book! Tell your little reader that the words on the page tell the story. Show them that you are reading the words by slowly sliding your finger across each word as you read out loud. My daughter is starting to point and track the words as I read. She’s even trying to repeat the words as we go along!  Genius I tell ya!!

·      Most important be animated! BE SILLY AND HAVE FUN!

As a former Kindergarten teacher I have to say THE most important thing I would tell my parents is to read to your child everyday!  Set aside at least 20 minutes a day and share the wonders of a book together. You will be creating one of the best memories a child can have and you are teaching them how to read!

 READ TO YOUR CHILD EVERY DAY!

HAPPY PARENTING!

ABC WOOD BLOCKS – WE LOVE THESE!

http://www.tinybirdsorganics.com/UncleGooseBlocks/Uncle-Goose-Alphabet-Blocks.html

LEAP FROG EDUCATIONAL TOYS

http://shop.leapfrog.com/leapfrog/