Beyond Words: Incorporating Active Reading Strategies Into Story Time

The challenges of the pandemic forced parents worldwide to reimagine their daily routines, especially when it came to childcare and education. As a first-time parent with a 6-month-old at home, the decision to pull our child out of daycare added a layer of uncertainty to an already challenging time. With both parents working full-time, we found ourselves navigating the delicate balance of work and childcare. As our child grew more mobile and required more attention, I discovered the power of active reading combined with engaging activities to make the most of our at-home learning environment.

The Journey of Active Reading

Transitioning from full-time childcare to managing our child's day at home meant that I needed to restructure my daily routine. With limited access to traditional curricular resources, I decided to incorporate active reading sessions into our mornings. These sessions were carefully planned in 30-40 minute blocks, including time for reading and themed activities inspired by the books we explored together.

Making Books Come to Life

One of the key elements of our active reading routine was turning the stories into immersive experiences. For example, after reading "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom," we embarked on a week-long adventure creating our very own boom boom tree in the hallway. Through finger painting construction paper, cutting out letters, and assembling a tree, we not only brought the book to life but also engaged in interactive learning. Sitting in the hallway, we practiced the alphabet, reinforcing the lessons from the book in a tangible and memorable way.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar provided another opportunity for creativity. We crafted finger-painted paper tube caterpillars and made coffee filter butterflies, connecting the artistic projects to the narrative. These hands-on activities not only enhanced our reading experience but also stimulated our child's imagination, creativity, and fine motor skills.

The Importance of Active Participation

Story time goes beyond just reciting the words on the page. It involves active participation and engagement. Instead of rushing through books, taking the time to ask questions, encouraging discussions, and involving your child in related activities significantly enhances the learning experience.

Reading books with vibrant illustrations becomes a delightful interactive experience in our household. As we flip through pages filled with big and small images, we engage our child in a playful game of look and find. Encouraging them to spot specific images not only enhances their observational skills but also makes reading an exciting adventure.

Additionally, with small board books featuring limited words, we seize the opportunity to reinforce language, repetition, and memory. By prompting our little one to recite words back to us, we create a dialogue that deepens their understanding of language and fosters a love for storytelling.

Challenges and Rewards:

Adapting to active reading takes some practice. It certainly adds to our child's already soaring curiosity levels and take s a considerable amount of patience to become more involved and immersed in the journey of reading books with kids vs the act of reading books to kids.

Though I no longer run an at-home daycare of 1, I continue to incorporate these techniques during weekends, ensuring that our family time includes fun crafts and art projects inspired by our favorite books.

Active Reading Ideas To Get You Started

• Create a Reading Ritual: Establish a consistent reading routine in a designated time and place to foster active engagement.

• Book Selection: Involve your child in choosing books based on their interests, introducing occasional new genres for excitement.

• Preview and Discuss: Before starting the story, examine the cover, illustrations, and title, encouraging predictions and discussing prior knowledge.

• Set a Purpose for Reading: Clearly articulate why you're reading—whether for entertainment, learning, or specific discussions—to guide active participation.

• Activate Prior Knowledge: Connect the book to your child's experiences, asking questions that enhance comprehension and relevance.

• Vocabulary Exploration: Introduce and discuss unfamiliar words, encouraging your child to use them in sentences to expand their vocabulary.

• Engage Senses: Activate touch, sight, and smell related to the story's setting, enhancing comprehension through sensory connections.

• Create a Story Prediction Chart: Develop a simple chart for predictions, updating it as you progress through the book, and discussing how predictions align with the story.

• Incorporate Movement: Integrate physical activity, especially mimicking actions if the story involves animals, adding a kinesthetic element.

• Encourage Imaginative Play: Foster creativity by inviting your child to engage in imaginative play related to the book's theme, such as acting out scenes or creating alternative endings.

By implementing one of these strategies, you can set the stage for an active and participatory reading experience, enhancing the exploration of books for both you and your child.

Active reading has become an integral part of our family routine, fostering a love for books and encouraging creativity. The journey from uncertain beginnings to creating a dynamic and engaging at-home learning environment has highlighted the power of combining literature with hands-on activities.

So, instead of racing through books at full-speed, take a breath, slow down, and remember it's not just a journey; it's a comedy show, a drama, and a thriller all rolled into one.

Note: Although my son is still in the process of mastering his alphabet and reading skills, we've miraculously escaped the bedtime battle zone. Now, after our goodnight kiss, he orchestrates his own bedtime routine. In the shadow of his night light/sound machine, armed with a trusty flashlight, he dives into his collection of books. It's a self-directed story time decompression.

What's On Our Bookshelf (February)

• Pout Pout Fish. With fun characters and under the sea vibes, we were able to turn this into a fun artsy, craft project. And show our children affection in a fun, loving way.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Our boom boom tree was a great craft, but now we investigate each of the letters in the book and talk about what might have happened to them when they fell.

• Quick as a Cricket. Ask your kids to describe in what ways they are like the animals in the book, or an animal of their choosing.

• The Remarkable Farkle McBride. This is a good one for kids who like to make noise! You can create your own musical bound with body sounds and humming.

• Why? Little to no text basically begs you to make up the story and on every page, tell your kids the answer to their favorite question.

• My First Book of Sea Animals. Identify and name sea animals, learn colors, and practice animal sounds with this book.