Happily Ever Laughter!

By Jaleh Donaldson

Encouraging little ones’ love of stories can spark a lifelong passion for learning, but finding enthusiasm for that 5 trillionth reading of “One Fish, Two Fish…”? Well, some days that can be anything but fun for parents. To keep yourself entertained while enriching your child’s reading experiences, try any (or all!) of these 10 ways to add more gasps and giggles to your next story time:

1. Make your child the star
   Simply replace the star character’s name with your child's name. Voila! It’s a fresh, new tale, all about the heroic adventures of you know who.
2. Send your child on a scavenger hunt
   Post different parts of the story around a room. Have your child find them and put the story together. For younger children, number the parts to make it easier for them to put the pieces in order.
3. Let kids color along
   Lighten and photocopy each picture page of the book for your child to color in as you read.
4. Sing the words
   You can take any book and create a tune to the words. This is a great way for your child to learn language patterns.
5. Get cookin’
   Grab a kids’ cookbook off your shelf or check one out from your local library. Read a recipe together, and then create the recipe by rereading and measuring the ingredients. Bonus: This is a fun and yummy way to develop math skills as well as reading comprehension.
   

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6. Let the puppet do the talking
   Few things keep kids captivated like a puppet show. You can make your own puppet using a small paper bag or an old sock, or use a professionally made puppet to help read the story.
7. Go on location
   Have your child experience the scene at the same time you are reading the story. For example, if the story takes place at the park, grocery store, beach or auto shop, pay a visit to the location and read the story there. This will help your child learn more from the story.
8. Read in the dark
   Turn off the lights then snuggle under the blankets or nestle into a pillow fort. Use a flashlight to read to your child.
9. Enjoy audio books
   Relax and leave the reading to a pro. You can point to the words as the narrator reads. Audio books can be a helpful tool for children who have trouble concentrating—and for moms feeling too tired to “do the voices.”
10. Create your own storybook
    Have your child draw pictures. Put the pictures together, and then on each page, write your child's description of what is happening in the picture. When done, read it together, like a book.

Jaleh Donaldson is a Head Start preschool teacher for the San Juan Unified School District. She is also the author of Life's Little How To Book, offering expert tips on dating, marriage, children, career, and personal growth, now available at Amazon.com and at local Barnes & Noble stores.