• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Because dads don’t always think like moms™

  • Dad
    • Celebrities
    • Gay Dads
    • Sex
    • Single Dads
  • Pregnancy
    • Labor or Delivery
    • Pregnant Wife
  • Baby
    • Baby Naming
    • Feeding
    • Sleep
    • Toilet Training
  • Kids
  • Teens
  • Activities
    • Local
    • By Age
    • Movie Reviews
    • Celebrations
  • Toys
    • We Recommend
    • Toys
  • Coaching for Dads
  • Great Dad Talks Podcast

Guide for Dads: Getting Children to Comment and Question During Read Aloud

April 4, 2008 by George Jacobs Ph.D. and Wan Loh Inn Ed.D. Leave a Comment

Remember that ‘Reading aloud is a journey, not a race’. To make this journey longer, more valuable and more enjoyable, we adults should not be the only ones talking just because we are the only ones reading aloud. The key point is: Being active can increase children’s understanding, enjoyment and learning.

Children’s Comments

Dads should welcome children’s comments and ideas at any time during a read aloud session, not only at the end of a book. Sometimes, these comments seem completely unrelated to the book. This shows that every reader reacts differently to the same book. Children’s reactions provide a wonderful window onto their minds.

When children make comments, dads may want to put the book aside for a bit and journey down this new path where the children have pointed. Then, they can return to the book with phrases such as:

a.  Let’s see what happens next

b.  On the next page, …

c.  Now …

d.  Getting back to the story, …

e.  OK, let’s continue

Dads can also use gestures, such as putting a finger across their lips, looking down at the book, or point to where in the book they are going to begin to read again.

Children’s questions

Dads want to encourage children to ask questions and to welcome their questions when they are asked. Children’s questions can be on something that they do not understand, or questions can be on something the children want to know more about. Sometimes, the questions will have nothing to do with the book. Those are okay too, sometimes. Children’s questions tell us a good deal about what they know and how they view the world.

Of course, dads will not always be able to answer children’s questions. No worries. It is fine to admit that they do not know. This provides us an opportunity to talk about how to find out. For instance, dads and the children can go to the library to look for answers in encyclopedias or in other books, or look at online resources. In this way, children’s questions become great motivators for additional reading and for teaching information search skills.

Dad reminder: You can start to read to your kids at ANY age. It’s fun for the kids and dad. It really is a dad duty!

– George Jacobs, Ph.D. and Wan Loh Inn, Ed.D.

Dr. George Jacobs, Ph.D. and Dr. Wan Loh Inn, Ed.D. are the authors of many books (including “The Read Aloud Guide”, textbooks for teachers and students, curriculum guides, and children’s storybooks).

Find out more about reading aloud to your kids.

Filed Under: Reading

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
SIGN-UP TODAY to receive the only baby newsletter written by dads, for dads. Act now and receive a free copy of the popular GreatDad E-Book!
My baby's due date or birthday :
Profile picture
Privacy Policy and Terms
Baby Name Finder!

what's in a name

  • Show names for:
  • Boys
  • Girls
  • Either
Finding a name you can both agree on isn't always easy. Use our simple name generator to get started.
First Letter
Last Letter
Number of Letters
Origin
Find a name!

More to See

family under a cardboard

Over 40? The Five Types of Insurance You Should Have

October 22, 2022 By Contributing Authors

A Dad’s Guide to Bonding with Your Kids Through Computer Games

May 5, 2022 By Contributing Authors

Tags

529 Plan budgeting for teens college savings compromise dad dads Father's Day fatherhood friendship in-laws love marriage Movie Review parenting advice parenting skills prepaid cards ritual Sundays travel vacation

Footer

Hi mom!

Would you like to share this site with your husband or a friend?

Just enter his email address and your name below and we'll let him know all about GreatDad.com.

His email address
Your Name

Recent

  • Special Clarity session – $25
  • Over 40? The Five Types of Insurance You Should Have
  • A Dad’s Guide to Bonding with Your Kids Through Computer Games
  • 5 Ways to Prepare Your Child for a Surgical Procedure
  • How to get kids excited about dental hygiene

Search

Tags

529 Plan budgeting for teens college savings compromise dad dads Father's Day fatherhood friendship in-laws love marriage Movie Review parenting advice parenting skills prepaid cards ritual Sundays travel vacation

Copyright © 2023 . GreatDad