Subscale 2: Reading with children
I Like It When…
GOAL: For parents to comfortably share books with children. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS This lesson is designed for “reluctant readers,” i.e., parents who do not comfortably read with their children. The premise of this lesson is that if parents “author” and design their own books, they will be more comfortable sharing them with their children. This plan can be expanded in a number of ways, from parents writing books to parents helping school-aged children write books. The time frame for implementing this lesson depends on the materials selected for creating books (photographs of children and families, art renderings, pictures cut from magazines, etc.).
Scale II
Key Parenting Behaviors Warm responsive parenting Shared book reading
PEP Levels 1-2
Contributed by: Mary Haust for Hudson River Center for Program Development, Inc.
MATERIALS book-making materials, such as paper for drawing and framing parents’ books; pens, pencils, or computer; digital cameras and film/paper sample of the homemade book your parents will make and others that could be made I Like It When . . . by Mary Murphy, or other simple concept book that addresses parentchild relationships DISCUSSION POINTS 1) Children whose parents make reading an enjoyable experience tend to be successful readers. There are a number of research studies that support this finding. 2) In terms of children developing literacy skills, nothing is more important than face-to-face daily interaction that includes reading, talking, listening, and finding comfort with a caring adult. 3) Reading with children not only enhances their literacy development, but also socialemotional development. 4) Books need not be purchased. Homemade books are of great interest to children, with books about the children themselves particularly interesting. ACTIVITIES Teaching parents Objective: To introduce a simple concept book and discuss the value of the book, as well as how easy it would be to create a personalized version of it for extended use. 1) Read the book, I Like It When . . . to parents. 2) Facilitate a discussion about the book. Ask, “What is the “big idea” of the book?” (what children like about parent-child interactions and how that builds their relationship) Talk about “hidden idea(s).” (the routine in children’s lives; the responsiveness of the parent)
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3) 4)
5) 6) 7)
Point out the simple, yet clear drawings/graphics in the book. Talk about how a book like this might feel to children when they hear the story. Ask parents to generate a list of what they would include if they wrote the book I Like It When . . . . Parents can take the viewpoint of the child or the parent. Discuss their ideas. Show samples of homemade books to parents and suggest formats for creating their own books, such as “I like it when we…” or “I love you because...” or “It makes me happy when you...”, etc. Ask parents to make the books, either during the session or over a specified period of time, depending on how the books will be created. Once books are completed, ask parents to share what they have authored and illustrated. Discuss the importance of books like these in which parents can relate how much they love their children. Ask parents how they feel about the technique: “What feels comfortable? What does not?”
Practice with parents Objective: To ask parents to demonstrate their ability to use homemade books in reading to their children. In the home: 1) Ask parents to read the books they wrote to their children. 2) Observe the interaction, giving feedback when completed. 3) Encourage parents to continue to use the books and to add to them when there is something important to add. Remind parents to observe children’s reactions to personalized books. 4) Discuss parents’ observations and their feelings about using these kinds of books on a follow-up visit. In the center: 1) Ask parents to read the books they wrote to their children. 2) Observe the interaction, giving feedback when completed. 3) Encourage parents to continue to use the books and to add to them when there is something important to add. Remind parents to observe children’s reactions to personalized books. 4) Discuss parents’ observations and their feelings about using these kinds of books on a follow-up visit. OBSERVATIONS OVER TIME 1) Was the shared reading an engaging and enjoyable experience? 2) Do parents use this book more often than purchased books? Do parents add to books? 3) Do parents make any new books or use purchased books to increase shared reading? 4) Are parents reading more often, and with greater comfort, to children?
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