Saturday, June 2, 2012

Read Aloud Through Daily Activities


Use every opportunity point out to your preschooler how often you read—and how much it is part of getting through your day. If you are in a supermarket, read aloud a product's name, the ingredients it contains, and even suggested recipe ideas. Show your preschooler the work you are doing from home —maybe pointing our your name on a memo. Cooking together? Show your preschooler the recipe you are following, reading aloud the ingredients and amounts. Show him the sports scores from last night’s game as you search on your screen or in the sports section of a newspaper. By reading aloud these pieces of information you are reinforcing the message that reading is the key to navigating the world.

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.