ARTICLES FOR PARENTS OR TEACHERS

Successful Read-Aloud Experiences: Positive Reading Relationships Promotes Literacy Skills
By Dorit Sasson

By respecting the students' backgrounds, teachers and caregivers can encourage important language developments during read-aloud experiences.

To encourage and promote literacy, teachers, parents and caregivers need to take into account not just the reading ability factor but respect their students' various cultural and educational backgrounds. Use the principles described in this approach as a guide to help you foster positive reading relationships and encourage language developments.

Respect Students' Values

It is difficult to overstress the importance of careful listening, acceptance without judgment, and patience. In many cases, you will be reading to children from different cultural, racial, economic, or educational background. Their values may be different – no less valid than yours, just different, and learning about them can enrich your own understanding. So put your expectations on hold.

Respect the Background of English Language Learners

Many general education classes and ESL groupings have some contingency of English language learners. When reading to children of different cultures or races, you may want to look for information relating to their background and history for your own use. The more you know, the more you will understand how to relate and how to interpret their messages.

Once you've developed the right mindset for success, take your time, speak clearly and slowly (but naturally), and listen carefully. Begin with simple picture books where the story is obvious from the pictures. Ask the students to identify objects in her or his language and you provide the English word. If the child is exposed to English speakers, he or she will soon be speaking English comfortably. Remember, speak slowly, simply, and distinctly.

Use Story Discussion and Conversation

Discussion helps children develop vocabulary and master concepts such as motivation, characterization and story structure. If your students need time to digest the story, respect their reactions. The key is to give the children a chance to express reactions and ideas rather than quizzing them on facts. Use open-ended questions such as, "How does this picture make you feel?" as opposed to "Does that picture make you feel sad?" Illustrations can stimulate wonderful discussions. Speaking and listening are also literacy skills.

Share Your Favorite Read-Aloud

You might consider bringing a beloved book from your childhood or a book that your own children loved. It's a great way to share your love of reading and details about your own family and to personalize the reading experience.

If you concentrate on making books and reading fun, you will encourage language developments and build important literacy skills. By respecting the differences of your students and children, you'll become more familiar and comfortable. Perhaps you'll select books and activities together. So relax, get your creative juices flowing, crank up your listening skills, and get ready for an unforgettable and positive read-aloud experience.