Talking About Reading
As I have been working in classrooms these past couple of months- I've noticed the excitement in students as they get the opportunity to discuss what they're reading with an adult. They feel so important as well as proud of their work. One question I'm often asked by parents is, "How do I talk to my child about their reading?" From a parent's perspective- I can understand wanting to make sure the "right" questions are being asked. I'm here to tell you that any conversation you have about your child's book- is the "right" conversation.
Allowing your child time to share what they've read promotes so many healthy habits as readers. By just saying to your child "Tell me about your book"- they have to organize their thoughts and retell the story/book in a way that will make sense to the reader. These conversation also usually lead children into making connections to the text and other things they know (other books, movies, real-life). To encourage your child to go back into the text to "prove" their claims- you can simply say, "Show me!" These conversation help hold children accountable for their reading- when they know they will get to talk about what they've read- they pay closer attention to the story and the details because they like to sound like "experts" when they share their book.
So- the next time your child reads, take a few minutes, and say, "Tell me about your book!"
If you're looking for more specific questions to guide your conversation with your child, check out these links:
Tips for Talking About Books With Your Child
Book Talk
Questions to Ask Your Child After Reading a Fiction or Nonfiction Text
Questions to Ask Your Student Before, During and After Reading
