Read It Again! How To Read "Bear Snores On"
Reading a picture book over and over again may feel repetitive to grownups, but it’s great for young readers.
If you've read I Want My Hat Back or Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site more times than you can count – you're doing great! The repetition of language, pattern of sounds, and understanding of what comes next are all important tools in growing kids who love to read.
When thinking about our young children, remember that they’re learning a new language. Immersion through repetition – just as adults are taught when learning a second language – also works for children learning their first language.
Beyond reading comprehension, repetitive reading is also important to foster kids’ joy of reading. Finding books you love is part of your social-emotional growth, as well as your personality!
Book Exploration
Once a child has found a favorite book, it can be rewarding to get as much out of that book as possible. If your go to is reading before bedtime, try reading the book at other times of the day. Breakfast with a side of books is a great way to start the day.
How about acting out a book? Let the kids act out the book with either themselves or their stuffed animals in the starring roles.
One of my kids’ favorite books when they were little was Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson. It’s one they wanted to hear over and again, and one I didn’t mind reading dozens of times. I read that book so much, I believe I could recite it by heart.
Here are some questions you can ask your kids about the book:
- Why is Bear so sleepy?
- Did you know some animals, like Bear, hibernate in the winter?
- Bear’s friends came into the cave to get warm. Do you think a cave would be a good place to keep warm?
- How would you feel if your friends had a party while you slept?
Bear Snores On is a fun book to inspire creative or pretend play. Get on the living room floor and crawl around like bears. Pretend to hibernate and fall asleep. (Maybe try this at nap time!)
So, when you hear “Again!” after reading the last page, take heart in knowing you’re creating lifelong readers. And have fun with those books to get the most life out of them.
- Natalie Mikles, Children's Library Associate, Charles Page Library