1. How to read a Children’s Story
OPHS Children’s Theater
Mrs. Abbott

2. Select a story that will interest a child for 10 to 15 minutes.
An older child may be able to focus for 20 minutes.
Go by how long your child can focus. For some kids, a good story will draw them in and they'll want to focus longer.
For older kids, you can start to read chapter books, one chapter at a time.
For the purposes of this class we will be using stories that take between 5-10 minutes to read

3. Skim through the story before you start reading to the child.
You want to insure that you are not tripping over your words.
Plan voices
Plan Sound Effects

4. Sit so the child can see the pictures in the book.
The pictures help to tell the story, that’s why they are there.

5. Read the title of the story to the child.
Ask the child to predict about what the story is about

6. Use different voices and vary your tone as you read the story
Use different voices and vary your tone as you read the story. Don't be afraid to ham it up a bit!
You want to keep the child interested, if your voice is monotone (flat) you will lose their interest.

7. Encourage the child to participate in the repetitious sounds in the story.
If there are repetitive sounds or words on every page help the child to participate by making those sounds or saying those words.

8. Use the repetition and sound effects in a story (e. g
Use the repetition and sound effects in a story (e.g. crash, bam, choo choo) to hold the child's attention.
Sound effects are an important part of story telling, they are just as important as the vocal expression and inflection that you use.

9. Read with inflection, and lots of it
Read with inflection, and lots of it. Show how words can have spirit, even though they are printed on a page.
Acting: use of face, body, and voice to portray character
Empathy: the capacity to relate to the feelings of another.
Breath Control: proper use of the lungs and diaphragm muscle for maximum capacity and efficiency of breath for speaking
Vocal expression: how an actor uses his or her voice to convey character
Inflection: change in pitch or loudness of the voice.
Projection: how well the voice carries to the audience.
Diction: selection and pronunciation of words; clarity of speech.
Body Alignment: physiologically correct posture and use of the body to ensure the maximum capacity and efficiency of breathing and movement
Facial Expression: physical aspects used by an actor to convey mood, feeling, or personality.