As an early childhood educator with a heart for literacy, I am inspired daily by the awe in a child’s eyes as they lose themselves in a simple storybook. As the pages are flipped, we naturally alter our voice to make magical characters come to life; seizing the attentions of even the squirmiest child and enrapturing their curiosity for the written word.
As you read my intro, maybe you’re asking yourself, “Have I ever seen that magic in the eyes of my child while reading?” If that look of complete engagement has been absent from your read alouds, try some of the tips below to put the spark back into storytime!
- Take a picture walk of the book prior to reading the story.
- Don’t be afraid to let loose of our own imagination by using your voice as a tool for engagement.
- Stop to engage him/her in making meaningful connections to their own experiences.
- Stretch your child’s imagination by allowing him/her to make their own predictions for the climax of the story.
- Don’t hesitate to reread the same story multiple times.
Remember that as your child's first and primary educator, you hold the key to shaping their perception of reading. You have the opportunity to foster a love for literacy in their hearts that will only continue to grow over the years. It is while on your lap, that your child may decide, “I love books.”, and from there the future is theirs for the taking.