Reading with your child is a great way to connect and have special time with them, learn new vocabulary and concepts, and engage in meaningful conversations. Today we will show you the READ technique that will help make all your story reads AMAZING!

Matthew and Tilly Read Aloud 1

This week’s book is Matthew and Tilly. This first read focuses on explaining the key events of the story and pushing in target vocabulary.

Matthew and Tilly Read Aloud 2

This second read focuses on the character’s thoughts and feelings about the key events of the story and continues to push in target vocabulary.

Tying it Together

Talk about the book whenever and wherever works best for your family! Throughout the week, engage in meaningful conversations around the words. Guide your child with questions and support their answers by repeating back what they say and encouraging use of the target vocabulary. Soon, you will notice they will become a part of your child’s vocabulary! 

Target Vocabulary

Conversation Starters

Argument- A disagreement, a quarrel Remember how Matthew and Tilly were best friends but one day they got into an argument, a disagreement and Matthew stomped up the stairs? Why did he do this? How did he feel?
Customer- someone who buys things Remember how Matthew set up his cash register and cans to play store but he didn’t have any customers, people who buy things. Why didn’t Matthew enjoy playing store, even though it was the best one he had ever made?
Apologize- To say you are sorry Remember how Matthew and Tilly had an argument and were playing alone?  Why do you think they decided to apologize, say they were sorry and make up?

Progress Monitoring

After hearing the first two reads, let your child tell the story of Matthew and Tilly and show what they’ve learned! Say to your child, “This week we heard a story about Matthew and Tilly and how they were best friends. Remember how one day they got into an argument and stopped playing together. Now that you know it so well, you get to tell the story!”

As your child talks about the story, ask them open-ended questions about what happened and how the character felt.  Be intentional in the questions you ask your child to try and pull out target vocabulary and rich, complex language.  Always acknowledge their answer, probe them with more questions– and expand on their answers by using longer, complex sentences with the focus words from the story.

Path Pointer

READ Blog How to Read with your Child

Each week we share recorded story reads for you to watch and talk about with your child. But don’t stop with these reads! Turn any book in to a language rich and engaging experience for your child. This Blog and video illustrate the READ technique and the difference between reading with, rather than reading to your child

Phonological Awareness: Rhyming

Rhyming activities are not only fun and engaging for young children but they also call attention to the similarities and differences in the sounds of words.

Singing songs, saying nursery rhymes and finger plays expose children to rhythm and rhyme and should be used throughout the year. Transition activities and music and movement activities are perfect opportunities to engage children in rhyming. Even when you are addressing other phonological awareness activities, rhyming activities can be included during different parts of each day.

Alphabet Knowledge: Letter Recognition

Use our Alphabet Knowledge Blog to support your child in learning this week’s focus letters.

Focus Letters this week: B, C and H