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From the desk of Sandra Fritcher, Lower School Principal:

Reading aloud to your child is really special.  Not only does it give you time with your child, it also helps build reading skills and helps your child learn to love books.  Here are some suggestions for reading aloud together.

1. Read regularly.  Try to read to your child every day.  You might aim for 10-15 minutes of bedtime reading for a peaceful end to the day.  Bring along a book, and read during a sibling’s sports activity/practice. Or just curl up together with a book when you get home from work.
2. Take turns choosing books.  Your youngster may want to hear old favorites again and again.  Use your turn for new titles and variety, like nonfiction or poetry.
3. Let your child participate.  Ask your child to turn the pages while you read.  Also, he/she can finish sentences that rhyme or fill in words.  Go slowly so your child has time to understand the story and look at the illustrations.  Your child will enjoy read-aloud time more if he/she plays an active role.
4. Be playful.  You can use different voices for different characters (a high squeaky voice for a mouse or a deep, booming voice for a horse), or substitute your youngster’s name for the main character’s name, and use family members’ names for other characters.

Remember, you don’t have to be an expert reader.  Your child will love it when you read aloud because it’s time with you.