10 Tips for Boosting Reading Literacy with Story Time | A Good Day to Read

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." — Emilie Buchwald

There are a lot of things I miss now that my children are grown, but none so much as story time. As my boys grew, we read everything from the single-word book Hug by Jez Alborough to the Bear series by Karma Wilson — and on and on until we sat cuddled in bed reading a chapter at a time through books about the Vietnam War, the Indian Wars, and military tanks. That's the life of a mother of boys whose father is a history teacher.

I cannot stress enough how critical these moments are — not just for developing reading literacy, but for developing relationships. If you're not sure you're making the most of this time, here are ten tips to help.

1. Read with prosody — that means with expression, inflection, and good pacing.

A flat monotone isn't nearly as interesting to listen to as a voice that rises and falls and speeds up when something exciting is happening. This quality of reading is called prosody, and it's something your child needs to develop too. Hearing it from you is how they learn it.

2. Read books that rhyme.

Rhyming books are a lot more fun to read — and they're also doing important work. They help develop phonological awareness, one of the most critical early reading skills. This is a win-win.

3. Choose books with great vocabulary.

Picture books actually include about three "rare" words per 100 words — far more than everyday conversation. When you come across a word your child might not know, take a moment to explain it. Better yet, try to use it again later in the day.

4. When your child is older, take turns reading.

Swapping every other page keeps them engaged and gives you a chance to model fluency. You can start this with easy decodable books at their reading level and build from there. Eventually, try having them read to you some nights instead.

5. Read the same books over and over.

I know it can feel tedious, but repetition is where the magic happens. Soon your child will have the book memorized and will "read along" with you — and before you know it, they'll actually be reading along with you.

6. Let your child choose the book.

A trip to the library and a stack of books chosen by your child is one of the best things you can do. You might get stuck on one book for three weeks straight, but that enthusiasm for a story is exactly what you want to nurture.

7. Don't save reading for bedtime only.

A bedtime reading routine is wonderful, but don't limit yourself to the end of the day. Take a book along wherever you go. Waiting rooms, car rider lines, and lazy Saturday mornings are all perfect reading opportunities.

8. Talk about the book as you read.

Ask your child what has been happening and what they think will happen next. This kind of simple back-and-forth builds comprehension skills and keeps them actively engaged in the story.

9. Ask about feelings, not just facts.

One of the most powerful things reading can do is build emotional intelligence. Ask what the character is feeling, how your child would feel in the same situation, or what the right thing to do might be. This is especially great for older kids who might not otherwise open up easily.

10. Don't think your child is ever too old for story time.

The books will change — from rhyming picture books to chapter books to great novels — but the time spent reading together never loses its value. My most treasured reading memories with my boys came when they were older than you might think.

If you'd like to talk more about how to support your child's reading journey at home, I'd love to connect. Schedule a free call with me and we can chat about more ways you can boost your child's reading literacy skills.