Reading with Children

Podcasts

Reading is so important. We don’t realize we do it all day, every day. That is, until we’re somewhere we don’t speak the language. Does that say “push,” or “pull?” Or, until we’re with a small child who is learning to read. What does that say? That starts with “t.” That says “chicken.”

Suddenly, we realize how much we read, all the time. It’s easy to think of reading for the necessity, for the academic and life benefits. Yes, these are important, vital, even. Here, though, we’d like to talk a bit more about the emotional component of reading.

Sometimes we lose the sense of reading for pleasure. We read articles and blogs to find new recipes or ideas, we read to find out what’s going on in the world, we read to learn how to program the time zone on the latest device, we pick up a book in bed and barely remember the first word before falling asleep with the light on.

Children remind us of the joy of reading.

Read me this book. And another. Cozy up and read together. Countless trips to the library, and did you hear they just came out with another one in that series your child’s in love with. Thank goodness for overnight shipping and library cards with unlimited checkouts.

They see the joy in the small moments, no wonder they remind us that even just looking at a book is a lovely moment.

Reading together is a wonderful experience. We’re instilling the process of reading with positive emotional experience. When a child is reading independently, perhaps struggling with a word here and there, these good memories of being read to carry through, keeping companion along the path.

It can also be nice to mix things up — sometimes read a book and read it as-is. Sometimes choose a familiar book and see if your child wants to recount the story. Sometimes choose a book with no words, examining the photos for contextual clues. Sometimes ask questions or play reading comprehension games together.

Do you see a bird?

Why is he happy? Why is he crying?

How do you know he is happy?

What season does it look like?

Comprehensive Reading Huff and Puff from Baan Dek on Vimeo.

At first, it might seem cumbersome to ask questions. Perhaps try testing this out with a simple, familiar book. While looking at a book about farm animals, ask, “what sound does that animal make? What does that animal eat?” While looking at a book of colors, make a list together of items that are red, or black.

Like any skill, it takes time to build. Asking questions while reading together can spark great conversations, as well as helping make connections from stories and reading to life.

For more about Reading with Children, listen to this podcast!

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