What to do with my first book?

After the book fair at our school, children are excited to read (or pretend to read) their amazing books. Parents and educators need to know how to motivate them during the reading activity.

Make questions. 

Children develop language faster when they are asked to use it. After asking a question, wait until the child has the answer prepared; give it time. He confirms what he means by using some terms that he does not know. Pay more attention to the meaning than to the specific words. I want to share some steps or questions:

• First question: 

What, do you think, will the book be about? Why?

• Next question 

Look at the picture on the first page. What can you tell about ______? (focus on the character(s), events,…)

• Next question 

Read the title -if they can´t read, we can invite them to recognize letters-.

Predict what you think this book will be about.

• Next question 

Let´s start to read.

Now depending on their level (letter-sound recognition, reading) you can invite your kid to recognize letters and sounds or to read.

• Next question 

What can you tell about the next page?

We repeat the last two steps for the rest of the book, changing the focus of the question: characters, actions, details,…

• The end

Before reading, ask him/her about it. What do you think about what´s happening now?

After reading, try to invent a new ending.

After reading activities:

Tell him his own story. U
se photo albums of the child as inspiration to talk about the event portrayed. The spring break, summer holidays or the trip to the house of the grandmother may well become a work of fiction, but at the same time they develop a sense of narration in it.

Become a transcriptionist
Ask the child to dictate stories for you to write or write a letter for a friend or relative. Tell him to scribble his signature or write his name as best he can. Your ability to write will go behind your imagination for many years, so do not let that stop you. Help him write down his thoughts, without forgetting that they are valuable and that the written word is the way others can know his ideas.

• Create your flat character like "Flat Stanley"
• Make a "glossary" with the main words and vocabulary of the book. It´s important to add images and pictures to the words and their definitions.
• Dramatize and perform some scenes of the book.
• Create the costume and details of your favorite characters.
• Create a new story with your favorite characters.
• Record or videotape your reading session and share with others.