Choose books that are predictable and contain simple, repetitive phrases.
You may need to read a book five or more times before your child feels confident enough to enter into the reading interaction.
Move your finger under the words as you or your child says them.
Pause and use changes in the pitch and stress of your voice and facial expressions to signal to your child that it is his or her time to “read” and finish the sentence, (i.e. example: “Brown Bear, Brown Bear...” pause and let your child finish the sentence.)
Vary the amount your child “reads” according to his or her ability. (i.e. One word to a whole page.)
If your child is unwilling to join in, just read the phrase yourself. Don’t force the child to join in.
Accept all Attempts!
Rhyming books work very well with this strategy.
SUGGESTED BOOKS FOR PAIRED READING
Time for Bed. By Jane Dyer, Mem/Fox
Silly Sally. By Audrey Wood
Dinosaur Stomp. By Carol Diggora Shields, Scott Nash
The Very Hungry Caterpillar. By Eric Carle
Jump Frog Jump. By Robert Kalan, Byron Barton
One Duck Stuck. By Phyillis Root
Brown Bear Brown Bear. By Bill Martin Jr, Eric Carle
Who Stole the Cookies? By Jane Manning
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. By Michael Rosen
