Buddy Reading
Do you have two or more children who read? Have you encouraged them to read together?
In buddy (or partner) reading, both children read out loud together. This is a great opportunity for the stronger reader to support the less fluent reader, or for readers of the same level to learn to work together. Ideally, parents can eventually step back and catch up with dishes or missed texts. (Like independent reading, this gives space for us parents to BREATHE while our children grows their brains!)
Eden (4) and Ezra (3) reading together
There are many different ways to approach partner reading, depending on age, personality and reading levels. Your children may also need some practice and reminders. Consistency (daily or weekly), builds stamina (“reading muscles”) for longer periods of time. If you are already encouraging reading in your home, it may feel very natural for your children to pick up a book or two together.
So how do you get started? See some poster expectations below:
There are many ways to enjoy a book together!
Early/pre-readers: talk about the pictures
A stronger reader with an early/pre-reader: One child reads and the other child listens the entire time
Readers at the same lever, or one stronger reader: Both can take turns reading a page, read out loud at the same time, and even echo each other
Get the printables here
A stronger reader (Gavriel, age 10) with a pre-reader (Ezra, age 3)
An example of how early/ pre-readers read together without knowing the words:
Below, Eden “reads” the entire story out loud while Ezra listens and asks questions. Eden simply tells her own version of the story by “reading” the pictures. Young readers can still enjoy and follow a picture book without understanding the words.
How does partner/buddy reading work for your children at home? I’d love to hear what you try.
Books of the Week
Like last week’s post, I’m beginning to feature books we’ve been reading at home. We came back from story time at the library today ready to leap into leaf piles!
Fall books!
In Dear Memory
Lastly, I’d like to pause to celebrate my dear friend and author Carol (left), who recently passed away from a long, courageous battle with cancer. She was a special part of the creative writing group I’m in. Her easy laugh, and big, beautiful Alabama heart will be dearly missed.
Carol, I like to imagine you’re having the most wonderful time in Aslan’s country. I will close with one of my most favorite quotes from The Last Battle:
