“Turning Reading Time into Thinking Time”

August Newsletter

“Turning Reading Time into Thinking Time”

Make Reading Active: 3 Simple Strategies for Parents

Reading aloud with your child is important, but how you read together makes all the difference.  By using a few simple strategies, you can help your child become a more thoughtful, confident reader.

3 Strategies to Try This Week:

1.     Ask Before You Read – Before starting a chapter, ask your child:“What do you think will happen next?” or “Why do you think the author chose this title?”  This builds curiosity and prepares their brain to make predictions.

2.     Pause & Ponder – Stop midway through the story and talk about what’s happening.  Ask questions like:

o    “Why do you think the character made that choice?”

o    “How would you feel if you were in this situation?”

Pausing keeps kids engaged and helps them process events.

3.     Connect to Real Life – Link story events to your child’s world.  For example, if the book involves teamwork, discuss a time your child worked with others and what made it successful.

Why It Works: These strategies improve comprehension, critical thinking, and empathy, all while making reading a shared, enjoyable experience.

Parent Tip of the Month: Create a “reading ritual” at the same time each day.  Kids thrive on routine, and it helps make reading a natural habit.