by Bobby Coles

Created on: November 09, 2010   Last Updated: May 01, 2012

Reading strategies are essential for comprehension skills during story times and library readings. Reading skills need to be developed, nurtured, and cultivated. Whether or not in school, or at the library, when you are reading with children, there are several steps that must be done in order for the reading to be successful.

Prior to reading a story, the children should be given a choice between several books, and general consensus should dictate which story is read first. Once a story has been selected, the children should then be questioned about their knowledge of the story. Perhaps it is a story involving a character that they all know, such as Dora or Franklin, and then some general understanding questions can be asked. The children can try and decipher what sort of things may occur in the story, such as Dora needing help from her friends to solve a problem. This is a great pre-reading technique.

Before reading, after any early knowledge is discussed, take a look at the title and the cover art. From here, try and have the children glean a simple understanding of what the story may be about. They can make predictions, and these predictions should be awarded merit, or a brief statement about why the idea may be incorrect. The reader should encourage, and even lead the children towards the answers.

Once you begin to read, make sure that the children are close enough to see and hear everything that you are reading. Place a finger under each word as you read so that they learn how to follow along with written text. When there are difficult words, take the time to make sure each and every child understands what the word means, and perhaps give them a synonym to enhance their learning. Look at each picture on the pages, and make the connection between the written word and the illustration. This can give the children an audio and visual understanding, and this can be made into a three-pronged approach by adding the kinesthetic element by having the children touch the picture or word that you ask of them. Getting them involved with the reading process will help them to stay focused, and following along as you read.

After you have read, discuss with the children what happened in the story, and have them relate the story to something in their life. This is a great reading strategy to use in story time, as the children can make positive connections that may help them understand the story more fully. Another after reading strategy to use could be to have the students create an alternate ending, or to think about what may happen to the characters next. This involves creativity and imagination, which are essential traits to possess when reading and writing.

Many people will use a written approach to understanding stories, such as creating a know, want to know, and learned chart (KWL). With a given topic, the children can mention what they already know about it, what else they would like to know, and finally what they actually learned during the reading. This reading strategy greatly enhances the learning involved, and makes the story more applicable to the child.

Another reading strategy to employ during story time is to be extremely enthusiastic while reading, changing your voice for different characters, and placing emphasis and inflection on words where appropriate. The story needs to come to life so that the characters can become vivid in the mind of the audience. Children love to listen to stories, and if the speaker is dynamic, the children will keep coming back for more. The love of reading should be kindled time and again, and utilizing these strategies is in the best interest of the children.

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