How to read to children 📖 | EYFS/KS1

Summary

In this video, the presenter offers helpful tips on how to read to children effectively, using the popular book 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' as an example. The presenter emphasizes the importance of using expression in reading, engaging children with repetition, and incorporating interactive questions to enhance comprehension. Suggestions include inviting children to join in or act out parts of the story, and adjusting questions based on their level of verbal ability. The video encourages making reading fun and personalized by selecting books based on children's interests and provides advice on supporting early literacy skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 Reading to children can feel intimidating, but with the right approach, it can be a rewarding experience.
• 😀 Age-appropriate reading material is essential for keeping children engaged and supporting their learning.
• 😀 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' is a great example of a book with repetition that encourages children to join in.
• 😀 Engaging with picture books helps children develop comprehension skills, even without words.
• 😀 Asking children questions about the story, such as predictions about what will happen next, helps with their comprehension and engagement.
• 😀 Using expression in your voice while reading can make the story more engaging for children and helps maintain their attention.
• 😀 Encouraging children to actively participate (e.g., acting out the story) can make reading more fun and interactive.
• 😀 For children who are non-verbal or have limited vocabulary, asking yes/no questions can still help them engage with the story.
• 😀 Practicing reading aloud on your own can help build confidence in using expression and engaging with children during storytime.
• 😀 Reading to children with different levels of reading skills can involve them in different ways, such as taking turns or encouraging them to sound out words.
• 😀 To support reluctant readers, it's important to consider their interests and select books related to topics they enjoy, like dinosaurs, pirates, or math skills.

Q & A

Why might reading to children make some people feel nervous?

Reading to children might make some people feel nervous due to concerns about whether they need to perform silly voices, how to capture children's attention, or how to keep the story engaging.

What are the key aspects of choosing age-appropriate reading material for children?

Age-appropriate reading material should match the child's developmental stage. For early years, books with repetition and simple text work well, while illustrations are also very important for understanding the story.

Why is repetition important in children's books?

Repetition helps children to remember the story and engage with it. Books with repetitive phrases allow children to join in, which supports their learning and helps improve their comprehension skills.

How can illustrations contribute to children's reading development?

Illustrations help children understand stories visually and develop comprehension skills even before they can read words. They also provide context, making it easier for children to predict the story and connect with the text.

What is the benefit of asking questions about the cover of a book before reading?

Asking questions about the cover encourages children to predict what might happen in the story, fostering their imagination and comprehension skills, which are important for later reading development.

Why should expression be used when reading stories to children?

Using expression when reading stories helps make the story more engaging and exciting for children, encouraging them to pay attention and participate, rather than just passively listening.

What can be done to engage children actively during storytime?

Children can be encouraged to mimic actions described in the story, like pretending to be grass swishing or making splash sounds when reading about a river. This movement helps children stay engaged and makes the reading experience more interactive.

How can questions during reading extend a child's learning?

Asking questions during reading allows children to think critically about the story, make connections, and express their thoughts. Questions can be about the characters' actions or the child's personal experiences related to the story.

How should questions be adapted for non-verbal children or those with limited vocabulary?

For non-verbal or less verbal children, yes/no questions work best. This allows them to engage with the story even if they can’t form complex sentences yet.

How can phonics and early reading skills be incorporated into storytime?

When reading to children who are learning phonics, you can encourage them to sound out words, like breaking down 'not' into its phonetic components. This helps them practice blending sounds to form words and reinforces their reading skills.