top 10 tips to reading
TOP 10 TIPS TO READING!!
Here our top 10 tips to ensure that you make the most out of the reading experience with a child!
Imagine hearing a song with awesome music where the artist sings in a very monotone voice and never looks at the audience. It would not be very entertaining, and If you were watching it on television, you would likely want to change the station. Reading a book, is the same, get them engaged with are our top 10 tips when reading super personalised books to children!
1.Use Voice Inflection
People don’t talk in monotone, and neither should a story be read that way. Listen to your brain when you are reading to yourself. Even then, if we are taking the time to really read, our brains will instinctively add inflection to the story. When you read out loud to children, make sure that you engage them by using voice inflection. Read faster at times if the action in the book warrants it. Slow down where appropriate. Speak louder during times of conflict and softer at other times. A monotone voice is like white noise, and not very engaging for children, it will eventually put them to sleep or send them off talking to one another.
2. Your Face Also Tells a Story
You may be reading, but don’t forget that your face is critically important to how the story is received, and children will be watching you as you read. Reading to a group ofchildren is not like sitting in your house reading for your own pleasure. Smile when the story is entertaining. Grimace when the hero encounter a seemingly insurmountable problem. Let the children see worry in your eyes or excitement in your cheeks. Your facial expressions help to give children clues to how they should react to the story.
3. Create Character Voices
Have you ever seen a movie where every character sounded exactly the same? I didn’t think so. Neither should the characters of a book all sound the same. You don’t have to be an impressionist in order to give your characters voice. Talk in high pitches for female voices and lower pitches for male voices. Have fun with accents. As a storyteller, it is an enjoyable aspect of reading.
4. Remember to Pause
So often when we read out loud, we totally forget how we speak in normal everyday conversations. Remember to pause for effect and to allow the listener to “catch up” and process what they have already heard. As you reach the climax of the story, pause for just a little longer than normal to build the anticipation. If you are reading something funny, pause and allow time for the audience to respond.
5. Look at the Audience
Look up! Look up! Look up! You may be reading, but you still have an audience, and nothing is more engaging that eye contact. Look at the child while you read to gauge their comprehension and response to the story. If you are reading to a group, try to make eye contact with as many of them as possible. A quick smile while you are looking at them will work wonders too!
6. Don’t Cover Up the Pictures
If the book you are reading has pictures, children will want to see them. Learning to read while holding a book out to your side with one hand will be a valuable talent. If you are reading to a really large group, consider scanning the pictures and projecting them on a screen so the children can see them as you read. One thing I can guarantee you – if you cover up the pictures, children will interrupt your reading to let you know!
7. Your Body Language Still Matters
We’ve already talked about using your face and making sure you look at the audience. Your body language also matter when you are reading to children. If the part of the story you are reading is scary, tense your body up a little bit. If it is exciting, bounce a little in your seat. Use hand gestures as you read. Your goal is not to turn the book into a play, but children will notice your body language and gestures, so make them count.
8. Read the Story Ahead of Time
No matter what you do, you should always be prepared. Don’t assume that all you are doing is reading a book and therefor that you don’t have to prepare. Read the story ahead of time – preferably several times. Think about the voices you will use, gestures and facial expressions you will make and every other aspect of your reading. You might venture from that plan during the reading, but at least you will be prepared.
9. Ad Lib A Little
Don’t stray too far from the story, and you never want your comments to become a distraction, but it is ok to intersperse the story with your own comments. Comments like “Wow! I wonder what he’s going to do next,” or “Ohhh, that’s scary” help to personalize the story a little bit. They also show the child that you are engaged in the story and not just reading from a book.
10. Ask Questions When You Are Done
A story is useless if there is no comprehension. Spend a couple of minutes afterwards leading children in a conversation about the book. Ask some questions to gauge comprehension and ask other questions to get them thinking. For many books, one of my favourite questions to ask is, “What do you think happened next?”
Our Super Personalised books are aimed at children from birth to 8 years old.
Based on international and national research, we know that when parents read super personalised books to children from birth to 3 years, it fires their imagination and opens their world to books
Children between the ages of 3-6 years old, children begin to recognise words and read with guidance. They get especially excited when they see their name and character.
Generally speaking between the ages of 3 to 8 year olds, children begin to read independently, if they have a love of reading early on.