Reimagining Reading Together: Ideas and Tips
Reading together as a family is so much more than an educational activity—it strengthens your bond, provides an escape from the everyday, and allows you to discover new things together. Over time, it can be tricky to maintain the sense of wonder when reading together, especially as studies have shown that children’s positive attitude towards reading tends to diminish as they progress through their school career. This article is full of ideas and advice on how to transform and enrich your experience of reading together, divided into three distinct stages: before, during, and after reading.
Table of Contents
Plan Ahead
You can inject magic and joy into the reading experience before you even open a book together. In fact, there are many simple ways to help your child get excited about reading:
- Plan a trip to the library or bookstore; give them time to browse and pick some books that mirror their interests.
- Explore the books that are featured in the theme-of-the-month, best-sellers, and book club selections.
- Once you have picked out some books, look at each cover together and try to guess what the story might be about.
- Read the back cover and make predictions about how the story will unfold. For example, knowing that the main character is going to get lost in the forest, what will he do to get out of it? What strategies will he use?
- Plan your next reading session: set the mood, pick the book, determine who will participate, etc.
Make the Most of Your Reading Session
The book has been chosen, you are all settled into a comfy spot, and you are ready to start reading. There are several ways to keep things fun along the way:
- Take turns: Alternate reading with your child according to their fluency. For example, you could take turns reading a sentence or a page before handing off to the other person. This is a great way to involve your child in the reading process while still providing your reassuring presence.
- Mirror reading: This is a great technique for modelling reading. First you read a section, then your child reads the same section back to you.
- Take on different roles: If the story or comic book has several characters, share the various roles with your child. You can even play around with giving characters distinct voices or tones: For example, try using a booming voice for the ogre, then switching to a much higher tone for the little bird.
- Make it interactive: Talk about the story as you read. Ask questions about what the characters are going through or try to make connections with your child’s own life.
- Vary your reading spot: Try reading under a tree in the park, at the library, in the bedroom or living room, on the stairs, etc.
Do you want to keep reading together with an older child who is craving independence? No problem!
Reading side-by-side counts as reading together too. For this to work, each person picks their own reading material to suit their interests (comics, novels, magazines, etc.). Then you simply read in the same room, staying close to one another. By reading in close proximity, you are serving as a reading role model for your child while providing a comforting presence. Every once in a while, take a break to chat, make recommendations to each other, or tell each other more about what you are reading.
Look Back on the Story
Discussing a story after the fact is a great way to extend and enrich the experience. Share your thoughts: What were your favourite moments in the story? Are there any lessons to be learned? What does your child think about the characters? Check out our 24 questions to boost reading comprehension for ideas.
If your child is interested, they can fill out a reading passport to keep track of which books they have read and how much they enjoyed them.
The end of a reading session is also a good time you pick your next book! Encourage your child to consider questions like the following:
- Did they enjoy the story? Would they like to find another in the same genre?
- What kind of book would they like to read next? Long or short? Funny or more serious? Novel or comic book?
- Etc.
Safeguard Their Love of Reading
In early childhood, reading is often a child’s favourite activity. But as they progress in their school careers, it may take on a more academic dimension, which can dampen their enthusiasm. Even so, reading together as a family still has many benefits:
- It’s a time to bond and share an experience.
- Since it’s often part of a routine, it’s reassuring because the child knows what to expect.
- It’s an opportunity to get closer to your child, to learn more about what they are thinking and feeling.
Remind your child of the enjoyable aspects of reading by introducing them to Daniel Pennac’s 10 rights of the reader. You can also print this handy bookmark so they never forget that reading should be fun!