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Reading to your kids: Advice from CUSD media specialists
Reading with your children can be a fun yet challenging experience. As parents, how do you know if you're doing the right thing to build healthy reading habits? See some advice from a few of Chandler Unified School District's media specialists.
Create images. Don’t always show the picture first, read the words and have the kids create mental images of the picture. Then show them the picture. Always encourage imagination and play. At the end of the story, have students take turns sitting in “the hot seat”. They sit down and answer questions from the other students. The student in the hotseat must answer as if they were the character in the book you just read. - John Janezic, Sanborn Elementary School
Reading is key to life-long learning! Parents need to be an example to their children by modeling whether it is reading independently or with their child. Parents can also read the books that their children are reading to encourage conversations. This will help develop a lifelong love of reading. - Amy L. Carpenter, Navarrete Elementary School
My advice to parents is to make time every day to read with your child, even if it is only 10 minutes. Consistency is key. - Stefani Harman, Hull Elementary School
My favorite advice to give to parents is to allow children to read before bed rather than forcing them to do it after school before they're allowed to play. If it is required before play, students may resent reading. When they are allowed to read in bed, either with a parent or on their own, you may end up hearing those beautiful words, "Just one more chapter! Please?" - Michelle Hufford, Patterson Elementary School
I really struggle with reading aloud a chapter book, I start yawning and can't seem to stay awake. So we've started listening to audiobooks together as a family! It takes the reading burden from me, and keeps all of us, across grades and ages, engaged in the book. - Katie Dial, Willis Junior High School
When it comes to advice for parents about developing a love of reading…start early! Model reading as parents, children watch and learn through observation. If you read, so will your child(ren)! It’s incredibly powerful for children to see both parents reading for purpose and PLEASURE! The more you read, the more they read! Finally, remember students have assigned reading in class…that’s reading for purpose. Let reading out of the classroom be for pleasure. Take them to the library, get them their own library card, let your child pick what they want to read, and support that with items you love! Together, you can foster and share a love of reading that will last forever. The library loves everyone! - Margie Foster, Fulton Elementary School
Talk to your students/children about what they are interested in. Find books that match their interests. Read with your child and model reading for enjoyment. - Kerri Williams, Auxier Elementary School
Read with your kids. Be their reading model. Make it fun. Find books that have movies or series and episodes. Read the book first, then watch the movie or episode. Discuss and compare the differences. Always read the book first, then watch. Reward kids by taking them to the movie or by having a fun movie night at home (based off the book, of course!). - Margie Armendariz, Shumway Leadership Academy
Read to your kids every night! Reading aloud to your children is good for their social, emotional, and mental health. It is a time to bond and talk and and will also help them become better readers! - Pauline Gray, Hancock Elementary School
Parents can help by modeling, reading, and talking about books. Ask your child to tell you about their book or sit and read a chapter or two with them. - Kathy Bohling, Bogle Junior High School
Meet the media specialists and add some books to your reading list.