It's Aloud -- Reading With Your Kids

by Mark Binder

Mark Binder is an author and a storyteller. His collection, The Everything Bedtime Story Book is an excellent read-aloud-resources. He is available for performances and workshops. Order his books and audio recordings online and visit http://www.markbinder.com for a free story.

Do you have to work hard to help your child to read?

A concert pianist recently told my daughter that the secret of piano <bold>wasn't</bold> practicing.

"It's playing. You have to play," he said. "If you only practice but never play, you'll learn your chops, but have no soul, no joy, and no motivation. If you play and play and play, then you challenge yourself and will practice in order to play better."

Reading stories to children is play. That's why children who have stories read to them learn how to read faster and earlier. They get the joy of the story without work or study. Then they realize the letters spell words, and the words paint the story. The sentences tell what the characters say and do and think. It's like television, but you can take it at your own pace. You can start at the beginning or in the middle or skip straight to the end without pushing any buttons. Your imagination fills in the blanks. And no commercials.

As educators, you already know this.

Here are some tools for parents of all abilities to play with. You may already know some of these secrets, but feel free to copy the list and distribute it to your families.

When, Where and What Tips

• Start early. It's never too early (or too late) to read aloud. Babies love to look at pictures. They also love to eat the books. Let them, but make sure they don't choke. You want the children to get comfortable in your lap, comfortable turning the pages and looking at the pictures. As they turn the pages, read the words. Over and over and over again. You'll quickly learn that your attention span is shorter than theirs.
• Collect books. Get them new, used, at garage sales, or discard bins at libraries. Let them pile up, build book shelves. Give books as birthday presents. Trade with other families.
• Whatever book the child picks, read it. With children, familiarity breeds contentment. If you really hate a book, give it away or recycle it. Once it's lost and out of the house, the child will find a new favorite.
• Lap reading is best. Children love the warmth, and after a long day at work you could use the snuggles. One day, sooner than you think, you'll be reading a book, sniffing your child's hair and smiling at a memory that will last forever.
• Don't try to be educational --- unless the child expresses an interest in a particular subject. If you're always interrupting with "What color is that? What letter is that?" than reading will become just another time for learning the rules of life.
• If setting a daily reading time helps, then do it. If not, then do whatever works. Kids love routines, but if you can't manage one (divorced families have a really rough time with this) than catch it when you can. After work. Before bed. Before brushing teeth. Bring books to the beach. On the bus or airplane… Get creative.
• Keep reading, even to older kids. It gives them a chance to stop being cool for a while. Find chapter books and read them for a year. Don't make them sit on your lap, but keep them close. They'll be gone soon enough.
• Skip parts you aren't comfortable with. Give Grimm's Fairy Tales happy endings.

How to Tips

People say, "You're a storyteller. I bet your kids get the best stories." Well, of course they do... sometimes. And sometimes I'm just tired. So I'll just grab whatever's nearest and shortest and plod along.

One day I was watching my mother read to my kids. She was awful. Flat voice, reading a little too fast. They didn't care. They loved the special time that she was taking to read to them. Even if you aren't the best reader, read with your kids (and grandkids). They'll appreciate it.

That said, these storytelling tips can make the experience more fun both for you and the child.

• Use voices. High, low, gravely, cartoon, foreign accents. Whatever. Imitate people you know. Make noises and sound effects. Yes it's silly, that's the point. One hitch -- if you use a sound in a story, be prepared to use it again and again....
• Change your pace. Sometimes read slowly, sometimes read fast. It's not a race. Let the rhythm of the story help you out. Avoid making. Every sentence. Sound the same. Instead, have fun!
• Pronounce consonants. Hit those Ts and Ds and Ks. Find stories with lots of word play.
• If you're child's not done, repeat the same page or sentence.
• You look at the pictures too. Add words or lines if you want. Ask questions.
• Make the stories yours. Change character names to your kids' names. Elaborate on descriptions. In Hansel and Gretel, add favorite ingredients to the witch's house.
• When stories get old and boring to you, pretend to mess up. Instead of reading, "Goodnight mouse" read "Goodnight beaver." Your kids will correct you.
• Keep breathing. That seems obvious, but sound and breath are intimately linked. Reading time can be a meditation time for you and your family.

So relax, have fun, and read!

Copyright 2003 by Mark Binder
All rights reserved
For more information about Mark Binder's programs, send an email to booking-info@markbinder.com
Mark Binder's books and audio recordings are available at www.lightpublications.com

This article may be photocopied, so long as it is reproduced in its entirety, with all the biographical information (including this line) included.
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