{"id":626,"date":"2020-04-20T17:54:35","date_gmt":"2020-04-21T00:54:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.sd41.bc.ca\/slp\/?p=626"},"modified":"2020-05-08T13:22:04","modified_gmt":"2020-05-08T20:22:04","slug":"supporting-your-childs-language-skills-when-reading-and-exploring-books","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sd41.bc.ca\/slp\/2020\/04\/20\/supporting-your-childs-language-skills-when-reading-and-exploring-books\/","title":{"rendered":"Supporting your child&#8217;s language skills when reading and exploring books"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1008 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.sd41.bc.ca\/slp\/files\/2020\/04\/Image-Reading-298x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"298\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sd41.bc.ca\/slp\/files\/2020\/04\/Image-Reading-298x300.jpg 298w, https:\/\/blogs.sd41.bc.ca\/slp\/files\/2020\/04\/Image-Reading-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blogs.sd41.bc.ca\/slp\/files\/2020\/04\/Image-Reading.jpg 477w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 298px) 100vw, 298px\" \/>Your child&#8217;s teacher and school librarian always encourage reading books at home.\u00a0 Keep reading below or <a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.sd41.bc.ca\/slp\/topic\/general-games-and-activities\/\">click here to download a handout on supporting your child&#8217;s language when reading and exploring books and handouts for other activities<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #ff9900\"><b>WHY\u00a0<\/b><b>is<\/b><b>\u00a0<\/b><b>reading and exploring books so important for promoting language and literacy<\/b><b>\u00a0<\/b><b>development<\/b><b>?<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Children need to hear many words often.\u00a0 <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Reading to your child often exposes them to more words and builds his\/her vocabulary.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Children learn words when they are interested.\u00a0 <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Books motivate children to communicate and, when parents respond to what the child is interested in, it helps the child learn new words.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Reading builds vocabulary and meaning.\u00a0 <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Children learn what words mean when parents read with them and explain what new words mean while pointing to the pictures.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Vocabulary and grammar are learned together.\u00a0 <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Children need to hear new words in grammatically correct sentences in order to learn language efficiently. Reading books with your child exposes them to new words used in grammatical sentences.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">P<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ositive, extended conversations support\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">cognitive and social\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">development<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0 When parents read with their child this promotes a positive interaction and shared conversation.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #ff9900\"><b>WHAT are some general reminders when reading with your child<\/b><b>?<\/b><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">All books are\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">good!&#8230;<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and some books are really great.\u00a0 Choose books that are a good fit to your child\u2019s interests and their developmental level (e.g., younger children love simpler books with big<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> bright pictures and lift-the-flap books).\u00a0 Some kids love dinosaurs<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">others love space<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, and others\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">gravitate toward<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0silly characters like the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">P<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">igeon<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, Elephant, and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Piggie<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in Mo Will<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ms\u2019 books.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Choose real (printed) stories\/books<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/i><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">These\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">facilitate better parent-child interaction then reading books on a device.\u00a0 While digital books are a great resource, reading a real book with your child where you turn the pages promotes more dialogue and parent-child interaction when compared with sharing an electronic book.<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"10\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\">\u00a0<i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sit face<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">face<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0with younger children<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0or side<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">by<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">side. Make sure you<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">r<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0child can see the pictures.<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"10\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Read it again and again<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0 Children often ask for parents to read books over and over.\u00a0 Books that are very familiar can be \u201cread\u201d by children who are not <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">yet\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">readers<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, giving<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0them a chance to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">practi<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> retelling stories.<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"10\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\">\u00a0<i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Take Turns<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Ask your child to retell the story to you. If your child needs support, leave out parts of sentences for your child to fill in.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"10\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Use the pictures in the book<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Ask questions and have\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">your<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0child describe what they see. Even if a student is older, there is nothing wrong with using pictures in a book to help with comprehension.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"10\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Relate the information to something\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">your<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0child already knows or<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0has<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0experience<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">d<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0For example, if the book is about a shark, you can ask\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">your<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0child,\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cDo you remember when we went to the aquarium?! We saw a big shark with lots of teeth, just like this one in the book! What do you remember about that shark?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"10\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Read books in your home language.<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0If you speak a language other than English at home, it is very beneficial to read books in your home language.\u00a0 You will be helping your child develop their overall language skills!<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0 Your local library has books in a variety of languages that you can explore.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"10\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Praise<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0your child.<\/span><\/i><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">C<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">elebrate your child participating with the book in any way!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #ff9900\"><b>HOW <\/b><b>is it best to<\/b><b> read and explore books to promote language learning with children at different ages and stages<\/b><b>?<\/b><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000080\" data-contrast=\"auto\">1) If your child is building their vocabulary<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Vocabulary<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">:<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Pick a vocabulary category that you are working on (e.g., vehicles).\u00a0 Label and point to the words.\u00a0 Repeat the words in order to emphasize. E.g.,\u00a0 \u201c<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Look, I see a train, it\u2019s Thomas the train, wow, a fast train, a train on the track<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It\u2019s good to emphasize not only object words, but also other categories of words like action words (e.g., the train <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong><i>stops<\/i><\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, now it\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong><i>goes<\/i><\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">), and location words (the train is<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>on<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>the bridge and\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong><i>over<\/i><\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>the river).\u00a0 <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">don\u2019t have to read all the words<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0as written<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in a story<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">dd words and language that matches the pictures and engages your child.\u00a0 Sometimes stories have too many words to keep your child engaged.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Categoriz<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ation<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">:<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sort words, pictures<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> and objects into categories.\u00a0 Group similar vocabulary and objects together.\u00a0 Sort items\/pictures from the stories into groups or ask what groups they could be in.\u00a0 This helps build your child\u2019s comprehension<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, executive functioning,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and ability to retrieve words.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Articulation:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Find words or pictures in the book that contain the speech sounds your child is learning.\u00a0 For instance, if your child is learning the K sound<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> emphasize and repeat words like \u201ccake\u201d and \u201ccookie\u201d.\u00a0 \u00a0You can choose books that happen to contain a lot of words with your child\u2019s goal sounds.\u00a0 \u00a0Seek consultation from your speech-language pathologist about sounds to work on.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000080\">2) If your child is using word combinations and building sentences\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Descri<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ption<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Model short grammatically correct sentences about what you see in the pictures and what is happening<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, for example<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cT<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">he girl is swinging (on the swing)<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">or<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cT<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">he giraffe is eating (some carrots)<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0 \u00a0This helps your child with learning the meaning of vocabulary words and with formulating grammatical sentences.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Past Tense:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Discuss how the actions in the pictures change from page to page. Ask,\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWhat did they do on the last page?\u201d<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0 Emphasize the past tense action word and model sentences in the past tense about people did<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, e<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.g., \u201c<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The dog\u00a0<\/span><\/i><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ran<\/span><\/i><\/b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0into the ocean<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">or<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThe children\u00a0<\/span><\/i><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">played<\/span><\/i><\/b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0on the slide<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Who, What, Where,\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When?<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">:<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">While reading or talking about pictures, pause and ask simple\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">wh<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; questions<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, e<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.g.,<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u201cW<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ho is jumping? What do you see\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">at<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the playground? Where did the Mommy go? When did they go to sleep?<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0 Help your child with answering the questions.\u00a0 The goal is to build language skills through modelling language and shared participation rather than testing for the child\u2019s answers.\u00a0 Keep it successful!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000080\">3) If your child understands\u00a0and\u00a0answers\u00a0wh-questions consistently and can express\u00a0ideas\u00a0in\u00a0sentences<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">dd<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">wh<\/span><\/i><\/b><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">y<\/span><\/i><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">how<\/span><\/i><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to your<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">wh<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">questions (who, what, where, when)<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.g., <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cW<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">hy do you think the\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">m<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">om can\u2019t find her purse?<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">or<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cH<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ow did the kids make the cookies?<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As y<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">our child\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">becomes<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">more capa<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ble\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0answer<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ing<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0these questions independently<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, you<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">can then<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0expand on\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">your<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0child\u2019s answers\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">by<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0add<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ing<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0vocabulary and ideas.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.g., <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cY<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">es, the kids found all the ingredients and worked together to mix the batter.<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Encourage retelling\/summarizing stories<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">:<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Help your child identify<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0characters,\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0setting,\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0main problem,\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">solution<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and the<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0feelings<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> associated with the characters.\u00a0 Use sequencing words such as\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">first, then, next, last, before<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, and\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">after<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0when retelling the story to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">emphasize the order<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> in which things happened.\u00a0 Using sequencing words will help your child understand that time order matters when talking about events.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Interpret Feelings<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Ask you<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">r<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0child to interpret how characters are feeling and why<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, e.g.,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cW<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">hy do you think the\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">m<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">om was frustrated?<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0 It\u2019s helpful to encourage your child to take the perspective of\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">different\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">characters and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">look at the cues in the story (<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">expression on\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">character\u2019s face; events in\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">story<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> etc.) to make inferences about how the character is feeling.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">W<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e may call these \u201csmart guesses<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Make connections to your own lives and feelings and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">experiences<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0 This builds emotional literacy<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0theory of mind (perspective-taking)<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, and social thinking skills.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Find the main idea: \u202f<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Identifying the main idea is a challenging component of reading comprehension in general and especially for children who struggle with understanding the story.\u00a0 You can help your child explore the main idea<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202f<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">by asking,\u202f<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cWhat is this part of the book about?\u201d<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202for \u201c<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is the most important idea on this page?<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201d or\u202f<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cW<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">hat do you think the author\u2019s most important message is in this story?<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202f\u202fIf your child is struggling with this, give them some choices for what the main idea might be, e.g.,\u202f<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cD<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">o you think this story is about trying your best or trying to always be the winner?<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202f<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202f Discuss with your child<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0and remember t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">here can be\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">different\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">interpretation<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">.\u00a0 Also, it can be helpful to think about the main idea <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">of smaller\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">parts<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0of the story, for instance\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">of a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0single<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0paragraph. It can be easier to find the main idea based on parts of the story instead of the whole story.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ask p<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rediction questions<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">:<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">After reading the sto<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ry, ask questions like<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cW<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">hat do you think will<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0h<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">appen next?<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201c<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">H<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ow might that character feel?<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Before reading<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> look at the book cover together.\u00a0 Ask your child what\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">they<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0think the book might be about\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">just by thinking about the title or looking at the cover for clues<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0 As you are reading, ask your child to predict what might happen next throughout the story.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #ff9900\">\u00a0<b>Accessing Books<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Visit the library with your child and encourage them to choose books to take home. These could be fiction and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\/or<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0non-fiction books. Many libraries also have story sessions and book clubs for children.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you do not have access to books at home, contact your child\u2019s teacher, learning support teacher<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0or speech-language pathologist and they can provide copies of printed books or online tools to access books. Search on You<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">T<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ube for videos where books have been read aloud.\u00a0 Pause the video frequently to stop and engage your child in talking about the book.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #ff9900\">\u00a0<b>Links to lists of books that help stimulate language<\/b><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/booksharetime.com\/books#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Book share time<\/a> &#8211; a\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">list curated by an SLP<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\"> that\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">llows you to search\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">for a\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">book by language goals you are targeting<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thespeechbubbleslp.com\/2018\/02\/books-need-speech-library.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Speech Bubble SLP<\/span><\/a> -a <span data-contrast=\"auto\">list of suggested books organized by developmental age and stage with <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">therapy ideas suggested under each age\/stage<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:1080,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/crazyspeechworld.com\/2013\/07\/my-favorite-childrens-books-part-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Crazy Speech World<\/a> &#8211; <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">list of suggested books by an SLP<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong><span style=\"color: #ff9900\">\u00a0Websites and References\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hanen.org\/Helpful-Info\/Articles\/Promoting-Language-with-Books.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Promoting Language with Books from Hanen<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthlinkbc.ca\/health-topics\/ta7018\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How Reading Helps Language Development<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindawi.com\/journals\/cdr\/2012\/602807\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Review Article by David K. Dickinson et al: How Reading Books Fosters Language Development around the World \u2013 Feb 7, 2012<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pediatrics.aappublications.org\/content\/143\/4\/e20182012\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Study by T. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Muzer<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, A. Miller, H. Weeks, N.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Kaciroti<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and J.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Radesky<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Pediatrics \u2013 Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics:\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Differences in Parent-Toddler Interactions with Electronic Versus Print\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Books\u00a0 &#8211;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> April 2019<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/raisingchildren.net.au\/preschoolers\/play-learning\/literacy-reading-stories\/literacy-activities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Literacy Activities for Children 0-8 years<\/a><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.superduperinc.com\/handouts\/pdf\/407_ReadWithMe.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">Read with me Super Duper handout <\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your child&#8217;s teacher and school librarian always encourage reading books at home.\u00a0 Keep reading below or click here to download a handout on supporting your child&#8217;s language when reading and exploring books and handouts for other activities. WHY\u00a0is\u00a0reading and exploring books so important for promoting language and literacy\u00a0development?\u00a0 \u00a0Children need to hear many words often.\u00a0 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8620,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sd41.bc.ca\/slp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/626"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sd41.bc.ca\/slp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sd41.bc.ca\/slp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sd41.bc.ca\/slp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8620"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sd41.bc.ca\/slp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=626"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sd41.bc.ca\/slp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/626\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1009,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sd41.bc.ca\/slp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/626\/revisions\/1009"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sd41.bc.ca\/slp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=626"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sd41.bc.ca\/slp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=626"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sd41.bc.ca\/slp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=626"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}