The story that stays with them: keys to a great story time

So what are the keys to “success” for a great story time, one that will bring a whole host of emotions and memories?

• Enjoyment: A good read-aloud takes confidence and enjoyment on both sides. Avoid picking a book you can't stand, because your child will quickly pick up on your negative feelings, and it may not have the effect you're hoping for: sharing a good moment together and discovering the joy of reading.

Dare to create a special atmosphere around reading: build a reading tent, turn off the lights and use a flashlight to read by.

• Discovery: There are many kinds of reading material and lots of book genres. It's always a good idea to ask your child what kind of stories they like (you can also have them rate the book you just read together). The story they ask for may be far from the one you would have picked at that moment. And reading the same story again is perfectly fine, too. In fact, children need several readings to truly absorb everything they've heard.

Remember that you can also mix things up a little. One night, your child can pick the story they want, and the next night, it's the adult's turn to choose from the family bookshelf. To vary the kind of reading, you can also simply look around you: you'll be amazed at how many things you can read with your child (signs in parks, road signs, street names, cereal boxes…). Mixing it up like this lets children discover other kinds of reading and build their own understanding of the world.

• Acting it out: Some children may have trouble staying focused during story time, so get creative. Don't be shy about playing the characters and changing your voice and tone. For example, if a character is telling a secret, you can lower your voice to a whisper, or, on the contrary, raise it if the hero is shouting. A little tip: practise your voices before you start reading, and you'll feel much more at ease.

• The subject matter: Since children don't interpret things the same way adults do, it's just as important to read the book yourself first as it is to read it aloud. Some books might catch you off guard and sometimes make you uncomfortable in front of your child.

I remember reading Pinocchio (such a beautiful story), which featured bandits who wanted to stab the boy but, finding that his body was made of hard wood, left him alone in the forest with a rope around his neck… Imagine my reaction as I read it and pictured those scenes, and now try to see it through a child's “glasses”…

• Communication: Asking your child questions lets you check their understanding and, at the same time, encourages conversation: What do you think is going to happen to the character? What would you have done in their place? Count how many cats are on this page!

And why not ask your child to read their favourite book to you? Even if they can't read yet, they'll be able to tell you what they understand or see on the pages (note: to make it easier, choose a book with clear, good-sized pictures).

• Body awareness: Although reading can sometimes seem like a time to relax, you can also use it to get your child moving: Can you walk around like a dog? Can you jump as high as the character? That way, a child who is less interested in reading can still find some enjoyment in it.

• Leading by example: As parents, we are our children's first role models. Be sure to read in front of your child, or to read aloud what's written on a restaurant menu or in a cookbook, for example. The goal is simple: to encourage your child to explore words, too.

Making a difference only takes a few minutes a day. Use whatever moments fit your schedule (before bedtime, in the car, at a restaurant…). Since the key to success is obviously different for everyone, I invite you, right now, to close your eyes and think back to your favourite book… Take the time to remember where you were, the smells around you, the weather, the emotions you felt, etc. Now you're ready to pass the torch, to bring those same feelings to life for someone else, and to share the story that will leave its mark on your child's imagination. What will you read next?

To keep track of the books you'd like to discover with your child, or to encourage them to record the books they've read over time, print out this handy printable!

MY READING TRACKER

 

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