Parents reading aloud to their child or children every day is one of the most important things they can do. As teachers, we know that it supports students in growing into proficient readers and learners. One of my favorite quotes is from Emilie Buchwald who said, “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” It couldn’t be more true! As a result, we need to support the parents/guardians of our students by providing them the resources and information they need to help their children. This could include sending home books each night, letting them know about available community resources, and sharing current and relevant information and tips. Read below to gather 10 read aloud tips to share with your students’ parents.
10 Read Aloud Tips to Share with Students’ Parents
Below are 10 read aloud tips that you can share with your students’ families.
1. Make it a routine
Create a special time each day where you and your child sit down and enjoy a book together. Often parents find it to be most convenient at night right before bed because it is an effective way to settle down and relax before bedtime, but it is important to find a routine that works best for you.
2. Preview the book ahead of time
Before purchasing or reading aloud a book to your child, read the book to ensure it is appropriate for your child and would be interesting to him or her. In addition, think about what conversations could springboard off of it.
3. Discuss the book
As you read the book, stop and talk about the pictures, model thinking strategies, make observations, ask your child questions, and encourage them to make predictions.
4. Model appropriate fluency and expression
When you are reading to your child, model how you would want them to read the story: Clearly, well-paced, and with appropriate expression.
5. Make it fun
Bring enthusiasm and excitement to each book. Choose books with funny words, characters, or plots that are high-interest for your child. Try reading in a fort with a flashlight. Another option is to include the family pet or a sibling in the read aloud.
6. Incorporate a variety of genres, topics, and text types
Invite your child’s friends to give their favorite book to your child for their birthday gift. Another way to access a variety of texts is to check out your local public library, yard sales, local used book stores, and the school’s book fair for non-fiction and fiction books, magazines, and articles.
7. Model your own love of reading
Let your child see you reading for both enjoyment and when you are trying to learn something. Take them to a bookstore like Barnes and Noble to look for books for yourself and for them.
8. Listen to audiobooks
If you have a busy schedule and spend a good amount of time in the car with your child, play audiobooks! There are so many benefits to these!
9. Keep books with you
Keep a bag of books with you when you are running errands so you can read to your child instead of having them watch a video on your phone. Fill up a box to keep in the car and in their bedroom too. Create a literacy-rich environment for your child so they have easy access to lots of books.
10. Reread favorites
Don’t be discouraged if your child wants you to keep rereading one of his or her favorites. It’s actually a wonderful thing! There are so many benefits to rereading a story!
Free Reading Resources
In closing, we hope you found these read aloud tips for parents helpful! While you are here, be sure to grab these free reading resources which include: a list of seasonal picture books for each month of the year, blank book lists for you to record your own titles, printable reading logs for your students, and print and go monthly reading challenge charts. If you are passionate about reading instruction, then you may also find these posts helpful:
- Back to School Read Alouds for Elementary Teachers
- 10 Tips for Managing Reading Partners in Your Classroom
- Listening Center Ideas for Elementary Teachers
