Born to Read

Guidelines for Volunteer Readers Reading Aloud with Mixed-Age Groups

1. Choose books from the following categories:
   a. books with lots of rhythm and rhyme
   b. books with predictable phrases which occur repeatedly
   c. wordless books
   d. books that encourage movement
   e. picture books based on songs
   f. simple story books with lively plots.
   
   
2. Bring a variety of books and begin with the simplest until you know the energy level and general attention span of the group.
   
   
3. Let younger children (infants and toddlers) hold their own book while you read.
   
   
4. Vary the story time by inserting songs and finger plays between stories.
   
   
5. Don't insist that every child sit through every book. Allow children to move when they need to.
   
   
6. Bring puppets, stuffed animals, or objects which relate to the story which you can use to help tell the story---for example, a train whistle to go with The Little Engine That Could or a bell for The Doorbell Rang or hats for Caps for Sale.
   
   
7. Encourage active participation when you read the stories. Encourage children to chant a refrain, move, and make repetitive gestures or facial expressions.
   
   
8. Practice storytelling without a book, and try one with the children. The classic fairy tales are good choices, but some picture books lend themselves to oral storytelling.
   
   
9. If the younger children become distracting to the older children, try breaking up the group: for example, the provider could read with one or two toddlers while you read with the older children, or vice versa.
   
   
10. Be flexible and keep your sense of humor!

We are always available for any questions, concerns, comments, suggestions, and feedback that you may have about the Born to Read program.

Born to Read
Maine Humanities Council
674 Brighton Avenue, Portland, ME 04102

Phone: (207) 773-5051
Fax: (207) 773-2416

• Denise Pendleton
  Program Director
  dpendle@mainehumanities.org
•  
  Program Officer
  annes@mainehumanities.org