1. Curriculum planning:
Literature

2. Why Read to Children?
It develops an appreciation for books and promotes literacy as a source of enjoyment
Reading to children helps increase vocabulary and language
Reading promotes phonological awareness
Reading aloud helps children to gain knowledge of print
Phonological awareness examples: listening, rhyming, alliteration, sentences and words, syllables, and phonemic awareness

3. Why Read to Children?
Reading aloud helps children understand that letters can be grouped together to form words and that words have meaning
The languages of books is different from the language of conversations
Interactions between adults and children before, during, and after a text is read aloud help children develop comprehension skills

4. How to Begin Choose good books to read aloud
Plan for small groups, large groups, and one-on-one reading
Establish regular times for reading aloud
Judge the appropriate amount of time to allow
Create a physical space where children will be comfortable

5. Characteristics of a Good Book to Read Aloud
The adult reader enjoys it
The topic is already or likely to be of interest to the children
It is a good match for the children’s developmental level
It relates to the children’s experiences and interests
A familiar and favorite author wrote it
The story illustrations introduce new family and cultural experiences
It is a well-loved favorite that children like hearing again and again
New information and ideas are presented through text and pictures

6. Consider These Questions
How long will it take to read? Can the children pay attentions for that length of time?
Will any concepts or ideas be unfamiliar to the children? How can I explain them?
Do the illustrations have tiny details or hidden surprises to point out to the children?

7. Consider These Questions
How can I make sound effects and gestures part of the reading?
What props would enhance the reading?
How can I invite the children to
participate? Can they rhyme, join in
with the last word of repetitive
phrases, predict what might happen
next, or answer questions?

8. Effective Ways to Read Aloud
Practice reading the book before you read it aloud to children
Become familiar with the language, characters, and plot
Write questions and reminders on post-it-notes

9. Plan Your Introduction
Tell the children how and where to sit
Start the reading by giving children a reason to listen
Gain their attention, read the cover, etc.
Share an object that is an important part of the story
Explain how the book relates to the theme
or topic we are studying

10. Strategies During the Story
Hold the book to one side so the children can see the pictures
Use your voice and facial expressions to make the characters come alive
Change or define words to help children understand the story
Stop to talk about the pictures, answer questions, and discuss what might happen next
Answer questions directly related to the book and save other questions for later

11. Strategies During the Story
Run your finger under the text
Pause at the end of sentences
Invite children to join in with repeated and
predictable words, phrases and rhymes
Discuss interesting words and ask what the
children think they mean
Repeat words that rhyme or have sounds like those found in other words the children know

12. After Reading
Discuss various aspects of the story or invite children to participate in follow up activities
Ask the children to react to or share their opinions of the story
Briefly summarize the story (characters, setting, theme, plot, and resolution)
Continue to help the children make connections between the story events or characters and their own lives
Discuss or clarify new words introduced in the story
Encourage the children to respond to the story through drawing, writing, construction, or retelling
Plan a story stretcher

13. Activity
Find a story that you would consider reading to preschool children
Read through the story to familiarize yourself with the characters, plot, etc.
On a sheet of paper, explain how you would introduce the story to the children
Next, for each page of the story, explain what you would explain and/or what questions you would ask the children (you will need to have one for each page!
Finally, explain one way to engage children after your story