Your child is sitting down with a phonics story and you can tell that it’s just not holding their interest. You really want them to work on their phonics, but you are hoping that they will truly engage in the storyline.
It should be fun, right?
Storytime with your child can sometimes be a challenge! Here are 4 great ideas to help your child to engage with their phonics story:
1) Start with a story that is in line with your child’s interests. You know your child best, and can give them stories that would spark their imagination!
For example: A child who is taking swim lessons might really like to read a story about a child who is helping another learn to swim. Or maybe your child loves magical fantasy shows on TV. They might really enjoy a story about an elf who casts a magic spell on an unsuspecting frog. These are just two of the phonics stories that can be found in Miss Wendy’s Favorite Phonetic Books!
It may sound simple, but the more you can find stories that appeal to your child’s interests, the better they will engage during Storytime.
2) When your child is reading their phonics story, make it an event! Get out some pillows and blankets and snuggle together for reading time. Make it a cozy parent-child bonding time.
Does your child have a favorite stuffed animal? Favorite drink? Favorite snack? Bring out all of those things during Storytime. ***Maybe even a treat for after Storytime is over as a reward for completing the book!
If you create an environment that makes Storytime more of a fun event, that will help your child feel more excited about working on their phonics.
3) I have found that very often it helps if your child has something to hold as they read. This is a great tool, particularly if your child is beginning to show signs of struggling with attention or sensory issues.
Your child can hold on to their favorite stuffed animal, a smooth rock to feel in their hand, or a favorite soft blanket to feel as they read. These sensory experiences can be very beneficial as they try and focus on their story.
If your child is reading Miss Wendy’s Favorite Phonetic Books, the kit comes with a Reading Phone. This is a fun toy, but also a useful tool. It’s something else that your child can hold on to while listening to their voice in the phone as they read the fun stories!
4) Activities, Activities, Activities! Every child loves fun activities—and if you can connect these activities with their phonics story, how great is that?!?
You can make the activity as simple or as elaborate as you choose.
I have heard about a dad who was reading a book with his son. The book was about an umbrella. So…what do you think he did? He and his son read the story while sitting under a large, open umbrella. Perfect!
Is the story about having a barbecue with granddad? Save it for when grandparents visit. You can get out the hot dogs and have a fun barbecue after your child and granddad read the story together!
It’s such a great idea to enlist extended family to encourage Storytime with your child.
In the Miss Wendy’s Favorite Phonetic Books kit, each story comes with an activity that goes along with the storyline of the book.
These are fun and simple activities, which allow you to test their reading comprehension. Your child will be demonstrating what they understood about the story they just read, while having fun with their creative activity!
Making time for your child’s Storytime is so important! Your child will need lots of exposure to phonics as they progress through their reading journey.
I hope that these ideas will help you and your child enjoy Storytime together, and help your child to be more engaged as they read each day’s phonics story.