Tell Me a Story: 5 Easy Steps to Encourage Language During Shared Book Reading
As we have wrapped up “Read Across America Week,” let’s take a look at one of the most useful tools we all have to help our kids grow their language skills: reading! Our very own Clinic Director Michelle Needle is on the blog today to discuss the benefits of reading with your kids and language skills that can be addressed while participating in shared reading with your child. Welcome, Michelle!
Why is story telling and retelling such an important skill for our kiddos? I am so happy you asked!!!
Telling stories about our day or past events is how we connect with people in our life. Having therapy focus around stories and books allows us as therapists to target a wide range of language skills at one time and through one task!
Narratives and stories can be used to target articulation sounds, language formulation, language organization, and story comprehension. Story telling also prompts conversation.
How can you help your child develop overall organization and coherence to their spoken language? How can you help your child develop word and sentence level language complexity?
(We’ll say it again: Read, Read, Read!) You do not have to be a therapist or SLP to incorporate language skills during shared book reading. Here are 5 Easy Steps to encourage your child’s language skills during share booked reading.
Sitting down with a book with your child is an easy first step. Look at the cover and the pictures. Ask them to predict what the story might be about. Do they know anything already about the topic? Maybe it is a book about a pig as the main character. What do they already know about pigs? What do they want to know?
Preview vocabulary. Are there words in the book that you think your child might not know? Talk about those words. Read the sentence and check for meaning with context.
Read the story. Discuss the story structure as you read. What was the initiating event? What is the “problem” in the story? How did the characters try to solve the problem? How do the characters feel? What is the resolution or ending?
Discuss the story. Ask comprehension questions. Have the child ask you questions about the story. Can they discuss the events in sequential order? Can they name an event from the beginning, middle, and end?
Retell. Can the child retell the story using picture? Without pictures?
Depending on the child’s age and abilities, you can have the child tell or write their own version of the story or a story about a related topic. Have the child create what comes next for a character. Ask inferential questions.
There are so many other skills you can address while reading this book with the child. I highly recommend you read the same story more than one time as well. Does your child need to work on vocabulary skills? Choose some words and play a category game or word association game. Working on grammar or sentence formulation? Pick a word from the story and ask them to create a new sentence with it. Choose two sentences and ask them to combine into one sentence. Are you trying to improve phonological awareness skills? Pick words and generate a rhyming list or words that start or end with the same sounds.
Incorporating regular reading sessions into your routine is an investment in your child's linguistic development. The benefits extend far beyond language skills, encompassing cognitive, emotional, and social growth. By making reading a cherished shared activity, you not only provide your child with the tools they need for effective communication but also create lasting memories and a lifelong love for the written word. So, grab a book, find a comfortable spot, and embark on a journey of language enrichment with your child today!
Thank you for contributing, Michelle! As we’ve seen, the skills that can be addressed with reading are endless. Have any more questions about specific skills to address while reading with your child? Reach out to your therapist today. We’re here to help!
