Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Drop It?

Say you've sat down to read with your preschooler. She is squirming and clearly not interested in the book you're reading aloud. Maybe you realize that the style is a bit dull or too wordy. Use your judgment. If you sense your child is losing interest and you believe the book is still worth continuing to read, you have some choices. You can tell rather than read the tale. You can skip over some of the description. You can ask her some questions about the book. You can have her make up a new story based on the pictures. But also consider that this book may just not be for her. Find another one! Or better yet, let her pick one she wants to read instead. 

Friday, April 1, 2011

Beyond Words


Say you have a beautiful coffee table book—maybe it has photos of butterflies, trees, beautiful artifacts, or paintings. Sit with your child and page through the book together. Talk about the photos. Talk about what you see. Let her tell you what she sees.Together, feel the nice paper the book was printed on. Open your child’s eyes to the enjoyment that a beautiful book can offer.

What I think . . .

There are all kinds of readers. Some—like my daughter and me—are never without a book to read for pleasure. Others—like my son—are careful, analytical, and curious readers who read primarily to seek information from the page.


No matter what kind of reader your child becomes, you can help him or her get started. After all, you are your child’s first teacher. And, best of all, you can have some fun in the process.


Please feel free to share your own ideas. Tell me about ways you've enjoyed reading with your child.


Madeline Boskey, Ph.D.