Story Talk

This School Readiness Activity provides early literacy thinking experiences for preschool children that will prepare them to do well in the early grades.

Story Talk

print knowledge 85Talking about what you read is another way to help your child develop language and thinking skills. You don't need to plan the talk, discuss every story, or expect an answer.

What you need:

Reading materials

What to do:

1. Read slowly and pause occasionally to think out loud about a story. You can speculate: "I wonder what's going to happen next!" Or ask a question: "Do you know what a palace is?" Or point out: "Look where the little mouse is now."

2. Answer your child's questions, and if you think he doesn't understand something, stop and ask him. Don't worry if you break into the flow of a story to make something clear.

3. Read the name of the book's author and illustrator and make sure your child understands what these people do.

Talking about stories they read helps children develop their vocabularies and link stories to everyday life.

Source: Helping Your Child Learn to Read, U.S. Department of Education

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