Ok, I love my book, The ABC’s of Hershey: The Reading Therapy Dog, but do I really need to reread it to young children SO many times? Do you really need to reread this book (or another favorite book of your child’s) each time your child requests it at story time? The quick response is a resounding YES! And here’s why:
Strengthening Skills
Don’t forget to reread The ABC’s of Hershey: The Reading Therapy Dog. If your child enjoyed this book, rereading is a wonderful way to help children strengthen their reading, fluency, and accuracy. Rereading also helps children develop a larger vocabulary, while helping each child identify themselves as a “reader.” In addition, rereading is very comforting and reassuring to children. When children read the same book multiple times, they become more familiar and comfortable with a larger number of new vocabulary words.
Comfort and Fluency
Rereading is a source of comfort for children and additionally increases oral reading fluency. Rereading stories aloud helps children become aware of patterns of text. It also allows children to read a familiar text or story without stopping or pausing, making reading more enjoyable for them.
Detailed Understanding
Each reread allows a child to look more closely at the pattern of the text, the illustrations, and the connection between the printed word and the corresponding illustration. It can support a child’s reading comprehension development by allowing them to discuss, in more detail, the main idea or gist of the book or story.
Building Confidence
Rereading also supports children’s reading confidence. Rereading a familiar text allows a child to become more confident and self-assured in their reading abilities. Children, through rereading, can make stronger connections between themselves and the book, and between the book and other books that may share similar features (characters, main idea, themes).
Building Connections
If your child enjoyed this book, select other books related to therapy dogs, service dogs, or animals. Selecting read-aloud books that incorporate your child’s interests allows them to strengthen comprehension skills by connecting the book to their own lives, connecting the book to other books on the same topic, and connecting reading to larger universal concepts.
Expanding Horizons
Select read-aloud books where children see themselves, and other children, people, animals, cultures, and communities. This helps children make stronger life connections and better understand themselves and their world.
So yes, reread that favorite book as many times as your child wants. It’s a powerful tool for their development and a wonderful way to share special moments together.