Although we live in the Southern Hemisphere and December heralds the beginning of a scorching summer, there is still something cosy about gathering around a Bible or a picture book to hear the story of Jesus’s arrival.  Here are 5 tips for reading aloud to children as you share the greatest story ever! 

Tip 1:  Get Creative and Comfortable

Create excitement by hiding the book until you are ready to start.  At Christmas, there are many options like inside a gift box, bag or stocking.  Before you begin ensure the children are comfortable and that you can see every child and they can see you.  Don’t start until you have everyone’s attention. 

Tip 2:  Read with Expression and Emotion 

I recently read, ‘Every book is a world.  Opening that world starts with you.’  Yikes!  Well, there are things you can do that will help build that world in children’s imaginations. 

• Read ahead (know the story and think about what words and sounds you want to emphasize)
• Alter your voice using volume, speed (read faster in exciting bits) and pitch
• Focus on certain words and use them to convey meaning i.e. the word long can become l-o-n-g
• Change your voice depending on the character who is speaking (how about an accent?)
• Use your body to act out emotions like sadness, fear or excitement, shivering, surprise
• Use sound effects like rapping on the side of your chair to sound like knocking on a door

Tip 3:  Show the Pictures

That sounds elementary but it’s an important skill!  If you are using a picture book hold it close to your head.  When it’s time to show a picture sweep the book slowly from one side of the group to the other.  Do this with every turn of a page.  If you are reading from a Bible or a chapter book with illustrations still show the illustrations.  If a child says they didn’t see the picture, slowly sweep the book past everyone again. 

Tip 4:  Have Fun!

As you gain experience and confidence in reading aloud to your children, you can use opportunities to have fun with them.  Like closing the book at a crucial place and announcing ‘Sorry, I don’t know if you want to hear the rest of the story’.  Delaying tactics are fun when it is time to turn a page and a great way to refocus children’s attention.  You might like to wear a hat or prop to enhance your storytelling.

Tip 5:  Follow Up

If children have asked a question during the story you’ll have told them you’ll answer it at the end of the book so now is the time to answer their questions and ask them what they thought about it.  It’s a mini teaching time!   

A Few Favourite Read-Aloud Books for Christmas

• The Bible (a large print, gold-edged and embossed Bible with illustrations is wonderful.  Only you have to rest it on your lap to read it!)
• Nativity picture books:  And the Star Shone Brightly by Sally Ann Wright with pictures by Frank Endersby (Anno Domini Publishing) and The Christmas Story retold by Heather Amery and illustrated by Norman Young.  (Published by Usborne)  Both have beautiful and bright colour illustrations.
• The Legend of the Candy Cane written by Lori Walburg and illustrated by Richard Cowdrey (Published by Zonderkidz).  I use a real giant candy cane to illustrate the part about the candy cane’s shape, ‘J’ is for Jesus etc.

Have a blessed and cosy read-aloud time wherever you are this Christmas!