Following this method will promote many good things, language development and bonding being two of them, and many new skills can be developed during reading time if you include basic interactive actions like asking questions, coloring and exploring new book options.

Asking questions throughout the reading process allows for critical thinking and creativity to grow, improving on a child’s cognitive development. Ask your child questions following the “5 W’s and H” framework: who, what, when, where, why and how. Who is this person on this page? What do you think they’ll do next? Why do you think this person is sad?

One book that encourages asking questions is “Have You Seen My Duckling?” by Nancy Tafuri. The entire book contains only the question “Have you seen my duckling?” but allows for interaction between the parent and the child. On each page, the duckling is hidden somewhere in the illustration as the mother duckling searches. You can ask your child questions like, “Do you see the duckling?” or “Where do you think the duckling is going?” or “Why did the duckling leave?” Taking extra time to allow for questions and critical thinking will, over time, drastically improve a child’s reading skills.

Exploring new books that encourage interaction can also be effective. “Harold and the Purple Crayon” by Crockett Johnson is a great option. In the story, Harold takes his crayon and draws out an adventure. Give your child a piece of paper and a crayon and have them draw along with the story. When Harold draws a forest or a pathway, so does your child. This activity promotes creativity and improves fine motor skills while also increasing language development.

Another good option is finding books that are physically interactive like sensory books. These often contain different textures and colors or have tabs for children to play with. Making reading interactive allows for greater opportunities for development and can make it more enjoyable for both adults and the children. Interactive reading does not have to be complicated. It simply requires a little more time and patience, but it can make stories come to life.

United Way of Utah County is on a mission to help promote literacy and healthy child development. EveryDay Learners has several programs such as HelpMeGrow Utah, Welcome Baby and the South Franklin Community Center to support these efforts. Visit us at unitedwayuc.org to learn more about these programs or find any of them on our Instagram pages.