How to Read Expressively for Parents: The Ultimate Guide

“We have an obligation to read aloud to our children. To read them things they enjoy. To read to them stories we are already tired of. To do the voices, to make it interesting, and not to stop reading to them just because they learn to read to themselves. Use reading-aloud time as bonding time….”

― Neil Gaiman, The View from the Cheap Seats: Selected Nonfiction

One of the best ways to teach a child to read well, to love it, and develop lifelong skills is to teach them to read expressively. And the best way to teach them to read expressively is to lead by example. But what if you’re not sure how?

Tips For Reading Out Loud

1. Ask Predictive Questions: What do you think the story will be about? Look at the book flaps or author’s bio. What other books have you seen by the same author?
2. Take moments during the story to ask Attention Questions. These are usually specific to the story but could include counting objects, clarifying pictures, and asking your child what might happen or what has happened.
3. Answer questions. Undoubtedly your child will have questions throughout the story too. Pause and answer. Questions should be encouraged!
4. Enunciate each word and speak clearly.
5. Read with feeling. Don’t just read the words on the page; put emotion into your voice. This will help your child connect with the story and understand the characters’ feelings better. Show enthusiasm and exaggerate emotions. People, especially children, respond best to exaggeration.
6. Get into character. Display emotions through facial expressions, actions, and tone; be a good actor/actress. This may seem silly, but making facial expressions will help bring the story to life for your child.
7. Don’t rush. Take time to read the story so your child can take it all in. Pause slightly for commas and periods and to add emphasis.
8. Read together. Even if your child can’t read, they usually pick up on patterns and remember parts of stories you puruse frequently. They can contribute as little as one word, supplying animal noises or names.
9. Follow up with discussion. Talk about what happened, what might happen next, and what stories are similar.

By following these tips, you’ll be sure to read expressively and engage your child in the story. Reading time will become quality bonding time for the two of you!

This post was proofread by Grammarly