8 Tips on Reading Children’s Books Aloud
Reading children’s books aloud is actually a skill! Trust me when I tell you, I have heard some horrendous read alouds, but there are always ways to improve! Here are some tips you might not have thought of!
Before You Read
Preview the Book
First and foremost, it’s really important that you read through the book yourself. There are a few reasons behind this, so when you do, ask yourself the following questions:
What are the illustrations like?
Just as important as the text itself, are the illustrations. Hopefully, the images are captivating. The more vivid they are, the more likely it will hold a young audience’s attention. Additionally, look through it to decide what aspects of the illustrations you would like to point out. Is the cat hiding behind the farm? What does the boy’s facial expressions look like throughout the book? The pictures are there to help tell the story, but a young reader won’t necessarily pick up on all the details that you will.
Is there any new vocabulary?
Check to see if there will be any new or unusual words that you’ll have to explain to your child. You can give the explanations before, during, or after… You can even do all three if you’d like. This helps you better prepare. If you’re reading to a toddler, you won’t want to stop every three seconds to explain new vocabulary. So, in these instances, just pick one or two words you think might be important to focus on, like the word “grumpy" in Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang.
What questions can I ask?
Depending on your child’s skill, you can promote critical thinking through questioning. While you can most likely come up with questions on the fly, it’ll be easier if you think of a few topics you’d like to cover beforehand that are relevant to the story. There are two types of questions you can ask: close-ended or open-ended (read further for explanation and examples). Aside from these two question styles, there are also “think alouds.” This is essentially when you say aloud what it is you notice, or what it is you’re wondering/thinking. It’s a great tool to use if your child is not ready for direct questions. Instead, this allows them to hear you model how questions may sound.
What is the theme of this story?
Understanding the purpose behind the book, helps you deliver the message more clearly, as well as helps you better frame the questions you may ask. Personally, I feel most books have a rhythm to them, and how they’re meant to be read aloud. If you go through the book yourself prior to reading it with your child, you’re more likely to deliver it how the author intended.
Can I use any additional materials to help me tell this story?
From my experience, children love when extra materials get brought out to help a story come to life. Not all books call for this, but some do. If by chance you read a book, and have some extra materials that are relevant, consider using them for your story. For example, if reading There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Lucille Colandro, you might have all the materials she ate at home. for a better visual reference, consider collecting all those items and putting them into a box as she “eats them.”
Photo Walk
This is a tool I love to use for my students who are learning more than one language, but it’s really appropriate for all children! Together, go through the illustrations of the book prior to reading, and give commentary on what you notice. Make predictions on what the story may be about. Visuals are great prompts for larger discussions, as well as a practical way to prepare students for the story. It can also build up excitement for the book!
While You Read
Use Facial Expressions
Chances are when you’re speaking in real life, your face mimics the emotions behind your dialogue. The same should be said for reading a book aloud. If a character is surprised, your face should look surprised. This allows children to follow along with the storyline more easily, and also teaches them social cues and emotions.
Check Your Tone
I beg of you, please use a variety of tones and voices when you read. Reading in monotone will quickly lose the interest of any child, and rightfully so LOL. Just as your facial expressions should mimic the characters emotions, so should your voice. Exaggerate an angry voice, a sad voice, an exhausted voice. Just as with using facial expressions, this allows a child to become more familiar with the social cues of pitch in real life. Another aspect of this, is to switch up your voice for different characters. For example, my “dad” voice becomes much deeper than my “mom” voice. Switch it up as often as you can for the variety of characters, as long as you can be consistent.
Use Puppets
Want a fun addition to your read aloud? Use a puppet, doll, or print-out picture! My students love when we bring out the puppets, it captivates them almost immediately, and allows us to act out what is happening on a smaller scale. Depending on the child, they may be able to act out the storyline with the puppet, while you read. For example, using these Elephant and Piggie by Mo Willems stuffed animals are a great additional resource. Sometimes, using one isn’t always feasible, but if you see an opportunity to, try it out!
Ask Questions
Asking questions during a read aloud can do multiple things: it checks for understanding, prompts critical thinking, and promotes active engagement. Meet your child where they are with this. For some children, depending on their age or ability, close-ended questions (yes/no) may be the best option. For example if you’re reading Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems you may ask: “Does she look happy? Yes or no?” For others, open-ended questions may be the extra challenge they need to be critical thinkers. Example: “Why is she smiling? Why do you think she’s happy?” If neither of these options seem doable, using the “think aloud” technique is also useful! Example: “Look at her face, I see she’s smiling. She must be happy, because she found her bunny.”
After You Read
Read it Again
Chances are your child has a favorite book. Well, there are more benefits than you may realize to reading it multiple times. The more frequently a book is read, the more likely your child is able to discuss the storyline with you. Discussing plot, characters, and sequence all help build a child’s vocabulary, comprehension, and reasoning skills. These are also the beginning stages of your child being able to read! Here’s how I complete multiple read alouds in my classroom:
First Read Aloud: We make predictions, focus on the main character’s actions and emotions, review new vocabulary, and I use the “think aloud” concept.
Second Read Aloud: Review what we remember, ask open-ended questions, focus on secondary characters’ actions and emotions, and review vocabulary.
Third Read Aloud: I give students the opportunity to read the story to me! I typically will read the first few pages, and then allow them to take turns finishing the book by using the pictures as prompts.
Act It Out
After we’ve read a book multiple times, children love bringing it to life by acting it out. We gather as many props as we can, and my students will volunteer and pick the character or “prop” they’d like to be. If a student or child does not want to participate, they can be a part of the audience. This is a fun and interactive way to engage students, while still being intentional about your actions. Here’s a great tool I love to use in my classroom to retell The Three Little Pigs.
“Reading is a passport to countless adventures.”