Story Voices
Here's What To Do
1
Invite your child to help you read a book that they’re very familiar with.
2
They can pretend to be one of the characters and say their words using a voice they make up.
3
Encourage your child to adjust their tone and volume to act with expression and feeling.
4
Use different voices, tones and volumes to depict other characters too.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Find a cozy place to read and bring your child’s chosen book, and settle in.
E
Engage:
- “Can you help me read the story please? You can do the voice for _______”
- “What do you think ____________ voice might sound like?”
E
Encourage:
- Help your child to use the illustrations as clues to help them know how the character feels and might sound.
- “Look at their face. How do you think they’re feeling? If they’re feeling ___ how might they sound?”
R
Reflect:
- “What should we read next? How do you think ____ sounds in that book?”
Not quite ready?
Make up the character’s voice and say a short sentence. Invite your child to imitate you as they say the sentence.
Ready for more?
Encourage your child to use facial expressions and body language as well as they pretend to be the character.
As your child masters this skill...
With help from adults, they will explore a variety of forms of expression while communicating.