Reading plays an important role in a child’s development of vocabulary and comprehension skills along with strengthening the parent-child bond. How you read to your preschooler is just as important as how frequently we read to them.
The Fathers (Families) Reading Every Day (F.R.E.D.) program is a challenge to read at least 15 minutes to your child for a week using open-ended questions and expansion techniques to help your child tell you what they are seeing in the book and comprehending from the story. By using questions, you can help your child develop their vocabulary.
How the challenge works:
- Contact Ivan at FIRC at 970-262-3888 ext. 231 or email ivanc@summitfirc.org to sign up for the challenge.
- Fill out the pre-survey and give to FIRC. Receive a book and a gift certificate to Summit Thrift and Treasure to buy additional books.
- For one week, read to your child at least 15 minutes a day using the vocabulary and dialogic tips below.
- Record the time you spend reading and the number of books on a reading log.
- Return your reading log at the end of the week and complete the post-program survey.
- Receive a gift certificate for Target to use on buying more books.
Tips to Build Vocabulary
- ASK “what” questions
- Follow answers with another question
- Repeat what your child says
- Help your child as needed
- Praise and Encourage your child
- Follow your child’s interests
- Make it fun.
Dialogic Reading: Open Ended Questions & Expansion
- Ask open-ended questions about the pictures
- If your child doesn’t know what to say about a picture, provide something and have your child repeat it.
- As your child gets used to open-ended questions, ask your child to say more.
- Expand what your child says
- Keep the explanations short and simple.
- Have your child repeat longer phrases.
Contact Noelle at FIRC at 970-262-3888 ext. 321 or email noelles@summitfirc.org