Dear Parents, welcome to the Parent Accompanied Reading Series!
Today we explore how shared reading can boost your child's literacy. Below are practical tips for family reading sessions, designed to be easily incorporated into daily life.
Tips for Family Reading Sessions
Discover the Joy of Reading
Parents should carefully observe their child's preferences, using topics that interest and delight them to begin with enjoyable reading. Through a gradual approach, this will steadily foster their reading abilities. Reading diverse genres sparks curiosity and imagination while broadening horizons and enriching knowledge. Shared reading further enables parents and children to learn together, co-create their reading journey, and cherish quality family time.
Establishing a positive family reading environment
Beyond providing a quiet and comfortable reading space, parents should approach shared reading sessions with empathy. Children undergo distinct developmental phases at different ages, such as frequently asking ‘why’, struggling to concentrate on books, or failing to finish reading. These stages can influence their reading performance. We recommend parents make the most of shared reading opportunities by listening attentively and offering explanations. This not only builds trust with their children but also deepens understanding of them, fostering two-way communication. When both parents and children are fully engaged and enjoy these moments, children naturally view their parents as role models, helping establish positive reading habits.
Selecting Age-Appropriate Reading Materials and Companion Reading Techniques
Through accompanied reading, parents can guide children in exploring the content and meaning of books, fostering their interest in books. Before reading, parents should preview the book and grasp its general outline to better guide and engage children during the session. Vary reading approaches – this could involve accompanied reading aloud or employing body language. When encountering challenging vocabulary, parents may encourage children to infer meanings from context. Parents can also teach them to analyse character structures or guide them to observe illustration details, using questions to help children find clues within the pictures and predict story developments. The reading experience should remain relaxed, ensuring both parties find it enjoyable.
Discussing with children enhances reading skills
Asking questions and engaging in discussion effectively boosts children's overall reading ability. Parents can employ the ‘six Ws’ approach – who, what, when, where, why, and how – to deepen children's understanding of plot development and lay a solid foundation for their future writing skills. Recalling story details helps children organise narrative threads, thereby improving their language structuring abilities. Furthermore, parents can stimulate children's imagination through open-ended questions, encouraging deeper reflection. Finally, extend story themes to children's daily lives by prompting them to share related experiences. For instance: ‘How did you feel when sharing your toys with others? Happy, nervous, or afraid?’ or ‘How did you feel when other children shared their toys with you?’ Such extension questions cultivate empathy and apply literary knowledge to real-world situations.
Conclusion
Reading should remain an enjoyable activity; parents should avoid imposing excessive pressure or expectations. Even if certain books do not appeal to parents, respecting children's choices remains advisable. With parental guidance and companionship, reading skills will naturally develop. More importantly, when parents share the joy of reading with their children, it fosters richer parent-child learning moments.
References
Reading Together - Committee on Home-School Co-operation
https://www.chsc.hk/chi/content_chsc/pdf/EDB_sec462_4-6.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions on Parent-Child Reading - Education Bureau
Get Reading Together (Parent Guide) - Education Bureau
Resource Downloads
The “Reading Charter” encourages students to cultivate independent reading habits and abilities, and to share their reading experiences and insights with others. It also assists pupils in using personal reading record tools to systematically document their reading journey, organise and reflect upon the inspiration gained from reading, and witness their own growth.
Reading Charter (Worksheet - Chinese and English Versions) - Hong Kong Reading City (Hong Kong Education City)
https://resources.hkedcity.net/resource_detail.php?rid=870777938
Hong Kong Education City has consistently encouraged students, teachers and the public to share their reading experiences. Since 2003, EdCity has annually organised the ‘Top Ten Book Picks’ election, enabling the education sector to select cherished books and authors.
Top Ten Book Picks Award Winners
https://www.hkreadingcity.net/10booksinfo/list
Recommended Online Reading Resources
Hong Kong Education City (EdCity) remains committed to promoting reading culture. Aligning with the widespread adoption of e-learning, it fosters a relaxed and enjoyable digital reading environment.
Hong Kong Reading City - Hong Kong Education City
https://www.hkreadingcity.net/zh-hant/