| Do you envy those people who are natural | | | | know when it's time to join in: raise your hands, tilt |
| storytellers? Perhaps you want to make reading | | | | your head, half close the book. The more dramatic, |
| stories more fun, but lack the confidence or | | | | the better. Children also enjoy putting in missing |
| know-how? Below are 10 simple things you can do to | | | | words. This is particularly useful and educational if the |
| help make reading stories more fun. | | | | story has a pattern of rhyme to it. For example: I'll... |
| 1. Read the book several times to yourself before | | | | and I'll..., blow your house down. |
| you read it with the child so that the content, the | | | | 6. Add sound effects or encourage your child to do |
| layout and the pictures are all familiar to you. | | | | so. Animal sounds, bird song, bells ringing, people |
| 2. Talk about the front cover with the child before | | | | snoring etc all add to the fun. Many authors add |
| you open the book. Ask the child what he thinks the | | | | these to the text, but if they don't there's no reason |
| story is about. | | | | you couldn't improvise. |
| 3. Use a variety of different voices for different | | | | 7. Add actions too, silly walks, waving, driving a car. |
| characters. Not every parent is able to speak in a | | | | All these add greatly to the fun factor. |
| variety of accents. There are some very lucky | | | | 8. Pull funny faces to show feelings such as fear, joy, |
| children whose parents can. But you don't have to be | | | | surprise etc. The more exaggerated these are the |
| a trained actor, or even an amateur to be able to | | | | better. |
| make your voice interesting. You can whisper, you | | | | 9. Talk about the pictures on the pages and relate |
| can shout, you can sound angry, or sad, silly, or | | | | the text to the pictures. You might even encourage |
| intelligent. You can make your voice squeaky, deep | | | | your child to guess the next word or words, using |
| or scary. At first you might feel silly, but I'm sure | | | | the picture to guide him. |
| with practice you will learn to enjoy it. I know I do. | | | | 10. Learn from the experts. Many well-known |
| 4. Adapt your voice to help create different | | | | children's authors read their books at festivals or |
| atmospheres. Is the book scary or funny, serious or | | | | book shops. Storytellers also offer sessions in local |
| lighthearted, sad or happy? Using an appropriate tone | | | | libraries as well as at organized storytelling events. |
| of voice is far better than speaking in a boring | | | | Look out for family literacy training at your child's |
| monotone. | | | | school or ask to work as a volunteer there when |
| 5. Encourage your child to join in. Remember how | | | | literacy sessions are taking place. Last, but not least, |
| much you as a child enjoyed those repeated phrases: | | | | listen to recorded books for inspiration. |
| such as I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house | | | | Follow the ten tips, and make reading a pleasure, not |
| down. Create a special signal to your child to let him | | | | a chore. You'll be glad you did, and so will your child. |