A Wonderful Resource for Parents

If you have not discovered the wisdom of Michelle Breum, you are missing out. I "met" Michelle through my blogging about reading and parenting. We both have a passion for reading and know that reaching parents is key for ensuring a new generation of readers.

Michelle is a former teacher and Reading Recovery specialist. She has three children of elementary-school age and tutors on a volunteer basis in their school. She has her own tutoring practice in her home. In her blog (Beginning Reading Help), Michelle writes clearly and knowledgeably about the techniques she uses and generously shares suggestions. To get an idea of Michelle's clear and helpful advice, and to read more about her, check out her lens from Squidoo (http://www.squidoo.com/reading-starts-at-home).

What Happens Next?

After you and your child have finished reading a story together and closed the book, ask him, "What do you think happens next?" or " What happens the next day?" This kind of thinking helps your child in a few ways. First and foremost, it is fun to imagine a continuation or to create an alternative ending to a story. It also encourages your child to use what he already knows about a character or a situation and run with it—to spin some educated guesses based on that information. That is making inferences, a skill he will use in school and in life. But for now, unburdened by finding right answers, he is simply stretching his creativity and engaging in some storytelling of his own.