Reading bedtime stories is the perfect opportunity for quality time with your child. After a busy day, find a few moments to talk with them, snuggle up and enjoy a great book, share a family story or make up your own!
Tips to Get Started:
- Create a bedtime routine around reading (such as Bedtime High-5).
- Find books or stories that your child enjoys! The more they like it, the more interested they will be. The more interested they are, the longer your child will stay focused on the story.
- Change your voice or act out characters and different scenes.
- If your child does not seem interested in the book, it is okay to put it away and choose a new one or change the story up,
- If your child asks for the same book over and over, wonderful! Hearing a book several times helps build literacy skills, including vocabulary, comprehension, and listening.
Questions to Ask Before You Read the Story:
- What do you think the story will be about (look at the front and back)?
- Where do you think this story will take place?
- What do you think the characters in the story will do?
Questions to Ask After the Story:
- What do you think/feel about the story?
- What was your favorite part?
- Can you think of a different ending? What would it be?
- Do you think this story really happened (non-fiction) or is it a pretend story (fiction)? How do you know?
Notice: None of these questions has a yes-or-no answer. Open-ended questions encourage your child to really think about the story and provide wonderful insight into their learning and thinking. Above all, you know your child best. If there are words your child might not understand yet, change the question or make up your own!
Reading Strategy: Bedtime High-5
Creating a predictable family bedtime routine with your child not only builds magical memories but also helps children fall asleep faster, reduces stress, and reinforces their literacy and language skills. There is not one bedtime routine that fits all families; yours will be unique to your family. What is important is that it is a routine your child can look forward to and count on. The best way to do this is to include your child. Here is one way you can get started!
Bedtime High-5
- Pick a Book
- Find a spot
- Cuddle up
- Read together
- Talk about it
Materials:
- Construction paper
- Markers/ Crayons
- Scissors
- Glue
Directions:
- Trace your child’s hand and cut it out
- Trace your hand on a piece of paper
- Glue your child’s hand to your hand
- Write out the High-5 routine on each finger
- Let your child decorate or color it
- Post near your child’s bed as a reminder and to High-5 each time you complete it
Join Birth to Five Literacy Journey
Families who participate in Birth to Five Literacy Journey strengthen bonds with their child, help build academic confidence for kinder and beyond and are equipped with the tools and strategies to help support their child’s reading development at home.
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