Session 4 – Raising a Reader © Copyright 2012 North Dakota State University. For permission to use any part of this curriculum except for copying designated handouts for program participants, contact

Raising a Reader Parents and participants will: Understand the importance of reading to young children Learn ways to encourage a lifelong love of reading in their children by providing a literacy-rich environment Evaluate and select good-quality children’s books, checking for bias and content © Copyright 2012 North Dakota State University. For permission to use any part of this curriculum except for copying designated handouts for program participants, contact

Raising a Reader – Icebreaker Option 1 Listen to “Cinderella” or “Sleeping Beauty” and then “The Paper Bag Princess” for gender roles found in them. Evaluate and compare the stories for how they help relay your values and provide answers. What do you want your children to learn about male and female roles? Option 2 Read a children’s book. What are some suggestions that would make the story more interesting to your child? Listen again and discuss the differences. © Copyright 2012 North Dakota State University. For permission to use any part of this curriculum except for copying designated handouts for program participants, contact

Raising a Reader The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them. -Mark Twain A parent is a child’s reading partner. Children thrive on the attention, feedback and learning that result from reading interactions with adults. -Bright Beginnings English language learners need to be told stories in their native tongue. It is the interaction, not a specific language, which is needed to acquire language. - Adapted from The Essential Role of Teachers and Parents in the Emergent Literacy of Young Children, 2001 © Copyright 2012 North Dakota State University. For permission to use any part of this curriculum except for copying designated handouts for program participants, contact

Importance of Reading Reading promotes language, creativity and imagination. It can calm a fussy baby, strengthen relationships and help children (and parents) find solutions to problems. Reading provides memories, stimulates brain development and prepares children for school success. First children learn to read. Then they read to learn. First children learn to read. Then they read to learn. © Copyright 2012 North Dakota State University. For permission to use any part of this curriculum except for copying designated handouts for program participants, contact

What to Read? Choose reading materials that interest the child. From apples to zookeepers, inquiring minds will find their answers by reading. Use your resources. Research good-quality children’s books on favorite topics by asking at your library, bookstore or school; checking the Internet; or asking friends. Look for award-winning books. Always consider giving books as gifts. Read cereal boxes, signs, billboards, recipes, calendars — anything appropriate and interesting to your child. Show your child his/her print-filled world and he/she will realize the importance of learning to read. © Copyright 2012 North Dakota State University. For permission to use any part of this curriculum except for copying designated handouts for program participants, contact

How to Read Pre-read the book. Can the child see the pictures? Point out the text from time to time. Invite participation. Read slowly, use expression! Use props. Ask and answer questions. © Copyright 2012 North Dakota State University. For permission to use any part of this curriculum except for copying designated handouts for program participants, contact

More Tips for Language Development Turn off the screens and the noise. Have pleasant conversations; describe what you see. Sing, rhyme and make up word games while you travel or wait for your turn. Record stories for playback at a later time. Use the library weekly; it’s a free resource. Use technology to have a relative or friend from far away read a book to your child. Be sure your children see men and women read for enjoyment and learning. Point this out to them if they don’t see it themselves. © Copyright 2012 North Dakota State University. For permission to use any part of this curriculum except for copying designated handouts for program participants, contact

Even More Tips Play “I Spy” the letter B or “Who can find a word that starts with the letter “C”? Read children’s poetry together. Keep writing materials handy so children can write thank yous, lists, pictures with descriptions and notes about their day. Make a list of all the words your child can read. Add words daily. Give your 5-year-old simple two- and three- step directions to follow. Ask your child to retell events of the day or a story in the correct order it happened. © Copyright 2012 North Dakota State University. For permission to use any part of this curriculum except for copying designated handouts for program participants, contact

What to Consider Story Characters Themes Settings Illustrations Other considerations © Copyright 2012 North Dakota State University. For permission to use any part of this curriculum except for copying designated handouts for program participants, contact

Thank you for participating! Do you have anything you would like to share from last week’s session? Please remember your handouts! Shifting Gears © Copyright 2012 North Dakota State University. For permission to use any part of this curriculum except for copying designated handouts for program participants, contact