A Different Type of

M o v i e N i g h t
Visualizing is an important metacognitive skill children can utilize to better understand literature. It is
important for children to be able to create a mental image of what is occurring in the text to fully grasp
its content. To visualize means to be able to create a movie in your head of what is occurring while
you read. It is the ability to follow the sequence of events in the text as the content unfolds while you
read. Reading-time can become a different type of movie night - a movie that the child produces in
his/her head, while the script is provided to them as you read to them, or while they read aloud.
How can you help your child develop their visualization skills during reading-time? Read the book to an
actual movie that is coming to a local theater in town BEFORE it plays on the big screen. This is a
wonderful opportunity for you to actually process the story line with your child. Your childs interest in
wanting to know what the movie will be about will be a sure motivating factor. Then, when the movie
comes out, everything he/she visualized will come to life when the child is able to compare their mental
movie to the real thing.
Many children enjoy doodling and drawing at the tender age of six. Asking your child to draw after
he/she has read is a great way for your child to gather insight on their thought process of the literature
they are reading. Perhaps you can read out loud to your child, without them looking at the illustrations.
Once you are done with a section, you can have your child sketch what they visualized, and compare it
to the illustrations in the book. You can opt for your child to have a digital notepad on Google Sketch to
promote their documentation of visualization.
Whatever method you choose to use, helping your child develop his/her mental movie is a sure way to
promote metacognition.