Storyboards are a way of taking the words and pictures on the pages of a book and transforming them into

a hands-on experience using a felt board and felt characters.

HOW TO USE STORYBOARDS:
First, read the book to the child to familiarize them with it. After they are familiar with the story, get out the felt board and felt characters. Read the story to the child again, having them put the felt pieces on the felt board as the objects or characters are read about in the story. Instruct the child to put the felt pieces on the felt board in sequence with the story as you read, to show that they comprehend what is occurring. If the child is unable to find the pieces on their own in sequence with the story, help them out by pointing out the pieces as you read. Make it fun! Children should enjoy making storyboards, so have a good time with it!

ENJOY READING WITH YOUR CHILD!

Tips for Parents/ Guardians

Author: Kathleen OShea Girl Scout Troop 816 Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois Special thanks to Elizabeth Harley, childrens literacy specialist in Barrington, IL Dedicated to: WINGS and Shelters, Inc.

How to Read with

How to Read with Children/Tips for Reading Books with Children: READING WITH INFANTS Tip 1 Make it a positive and fun experience. Be enthusiastic with your child. Tip 2 Begin reading with your child when they are an infant. It is never too early to read to a child. Tip 3 Read all the time with your child and reread books multiple times. Tip 4 Read books that include rhyme and repetition. Tip 5 Allow infants to look at, touch, and chew on books to help them experience the books. Tip 6 Only read for short periods of time. Infants have no attention span and will be unable to sit through a long period of reading. Tip 7 Hold infants while reading to them. It helps make reading into a more positive experience when they feel cared for. Tip 8 Follow the infants lead. If they want to chew on the book, let them. If they point at a picture, look at it with them and comment.

READING WITH 2-8 YEAR OLDS Tip 1 Make it a positive and fun experience. Be enthusiastic with your child. Encourage your child to read but do not force your child to read. Reading should not be seen as a chore/job by your child, it should be seen as a fun activity to which they look forward. Tip 2 Read daily and always say Yes! when children ask to read or reread a book. Tip 3 Make sure there are easily accessible and readily available books for children so that they can grab a book whenever they want to read. Tip 4 Act out animals or roles from books to make reading more interactive. Tip 5 With younger readers, label things in the story. For example, if there is a picture of a cow, point at the cow and say Look, a cow! and have children do the same. Tip 6 Encourage children to describe actions in the book or specific events. Also, have them name pictures and describe what they see. Tip 7 Ask the children questions that are openended and do not have a Yes/No answer. Tip 8 Always provide praise and encouragement to your child.

Tip 9 Choose a variety of books, but also read the same books over and over again Tip 10 Interact before reading by asking questions like what do you think this book will be about? Interact during reading by asking questions such as What do you think will happen to this character next? Interact after reading by discussing what you thought of the book and if you liked the ending. Tip 11 Vary the pitch of your voice and use a lot of expression when reading to child. Tip 12 Use gestures while reading Tip 13 Name and discuss pictures Tip 14 Relate events or characters in book to real life experiences or people Tip 15 Comment on the pictures and story frequently while reading. Tip 16 Ask your child to point to objects or characters in story, ask your child to label pictures or events, and talk about actions in pictures Tip 17 Have fun! Reading should be a bonding experience between you and your child.