If you can’t remember what happens when you give a mouse a cookie, or why the pigeon wants to drive the bus, you may need to brush up on your reading – children’s book reading, that is.
Reading to children ages 0 to Pre-K is a fun and effective way to help them develop their literary skills. Reading aloud to youngsters offers them numerous benefits, including building their imaginations and learning about their world and worlds they have yet to explore. In even the youngest children, reading supports social skills, basic speaking skills and increases their vocabulary. Books help children increase empathy too.
All of these are some of the reasons Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida is recruiting readers for its 100 Leaders, 100 Readers program, which is kicking off soon in Daytona Beach and DeLand as part of Easterseals 100-Year Celebration.
As part of 100 Leaders, 100 Readers, members of the community will be making guest appearances and reading aloud to students in Easterseals Charter Schools classrooms. (If you’re interested in this volunteer opportunity, please email Susan today!)
If you’re out of practice reading books aloud to little ones, fear not. Check out these tips on how to keep your audience of youngsters captivated while you share your time and talents to support and encourage children’s literacy and Easterseals:
Have fun with your voice. Put your vocal instrument to creative use to keep children engaged. Does the story have a sound effect? Emphasize it! Are you reading animal sounds? You know what to do! Give characters varying voices and change up your tone to support the mood of the storyline. Your voice can bring a book to life.
Pause to ask questions. Allowing children to express their understanding of the story by asking questions throughout it keeps them interested. Questions may include: “What’s been your favorite part so far?” “What do you think about (character)?” “What would you as (character) do if this was your story?” “What should happen next?”
Accessorize! If you know in advance what book you’ll be reading to the class, arrive in a hat or wear or hold something that’s tied to the book’s storyline. It’s sure to captivate little listeners. The suspense builds when you arrive “in costume,” and when you finish the book, it’s a great way to engage the children further. Prepare for a discussion of your interesting accessory!
Are you “reading” a wordless book? Don’t be intimidated by picture books; they hold infinite potential for engagement with littles. When you flip to a new page, ask the children questions such as, “What’s happening here?” “What do you think will happen next?”
Pick up a children’s book today and read to a child you love, or join our 100 Leaders, 100 Readers program. As J.K. Rowing knows all too well, “…something very magical can happen when you read a book.”
Thank you to the Easterseals Northeast Central Florida for contributing this article. A trusted, local 501(c)3 charity since 1952, Easterseals now serves more than 17,500 individuals and families with a range of disabilities to help them achieve their full potential through facilities in Daytona Beach, DeLand, Bunnell, and Leesburg.
