The Common Sense(s) Reading Behavior Framework™: The Tools to say Cool, Calm, and Collected as you begin your reading journey with your child or little one!

When I was managing and training 1st year and new-to-our-school teachers, I often saw them IMPLEMENTING my academic frameworks but because the CULTURE in their classroom was… NOT GOOD… they didn’t get the strongest results. 

Also, Classes with a “no excuses” mentality and rigidity did….see results, BUT at the cost of making reading feel like a CHORE and even a stressful process rather than a pleasant experience. And in my personal opinion those classrooms are largely cold and scary places to be!! Classrooms full of joy and love often saw accelerated results and those children would come up to me and say things like, “omg Ms. Omoile I just started a new book…you HAVE to read it” 

It makes sense—the children felt psychologically safe and that it was okay to make mistakes and as a result we saw beautiful results.  This is why I always start with behavior and expectations. If we get this piece right, we will see results faster and have the most important result—a strengthened, positive & loving relationship with your little one. 

So, a quick but ever important review. Our Priority ZERO Common Senses Behavior Checklist. Let’s dive deeper. 

The P0. Common SENSE(S) Behavior Checklist for You & Your Child!

First, Hear. (Hear...Positivity + Clear Directions)... 

• Everyone in the room should hear your positivity
• … In words, I’d want to constantly hear…. “Good Job. Great Job. Super Star. Rockin It’, You’ve Got This, Get Ready for the Next One…. and
• … In tone (higher pitched) with patience & warmth rather than coldness. Silliness is sometimes okay, sometimes a distraction – you’ll find the balance.  
• … Clear Directions… My Turn. Your Turn. Try Again. 

Next, Sight. (You want to see “eye-to-eye” with them… literally get down on their level and see eye-to-eye… we are striving for partnership over dictatorship in the reading arena. An observer should see...Fun + Smiles).... When you get to formal lessons, turn your creativity on and make THIS time feel different than any other time of the day.   

• Here, I need you to put on your creativity hat… CREATIVITY IS KING. It doesn’t have to be huge materials or imagination investment. 
• Just Incorporate Movement, Song, and Smiles  
• In Movement, it’s Okay for them to move, we just need their eyes to watch your mouth or finger! Quick Pace helps!
• Especially in the early days, it should look like you are having fun and we should see smiles on both faces. 
• In Your Facial Expressions: 
• Smiles, Laughing, Exaggerated Pronunciations at First
• In Assistive Objects: 
• Use household objects & toys your LO loves to entice them to read. 
• For instance, I used to have this witch’s finger I got off of amazon that I would read with… and then let the student who worked the hardest read with it during silent reading time! 
• Do they love a little toy car, use it as you model blending…
• Do they love to shoot hoops? Use it as you model segmenting…

Then, Smell. (Inhale / Exhale… Take Deep Breaths--You Got This!). 

• Remember…. If you’ve got nothing left in the tank…. Pretend your LO is a friend who speaks a foreign language or envision this old grandmother! You’re not getting upset with her because she can’t mimic your sounds or doesn’t want to read at the moment! 
• Reality check: You AND Your LO will mess up again and again. 
• So…..This is the time to hold your sighs and visible frustrations
• Why this metaphor? 
• Your LO doesn’t understand what you are doing. 
• Many don’t yet even get the concept of reading. 
• You may have to be overly dramatic to get them to understand you at first. 
• Patience is a part of this process.    

After that, Touch. (Your Touch should be Friendly & Give Off Feel Good Energy & Vibes!)

• I can’t tell you how important it is… to make this reading time a safe space… 
• Again… I wanna see hugs, high fives. Consider your child sitting in your lap…
• Snuggle & Cuddle!
• Also.. Make it Family Fun! 
• If they have siblings or cousins, tell the older children to join in and encourage the babe
• Let it feel like cuddle time. 
• Warmth and Positivity as you’re engaging in the activities.  

Taste.  (Taste the Sweetness of a Reward!). 

• I’m for logical rewards…. If they do a good job, a high-five… dance party… or cheer works fine! 
• If they get frustrated and make a mess… a logical consequence… is to pick up the mess…not to be grounded for eight weeks… but you do you! This is a reading course, not a discipline course. It’s just important that we associate reading time with curiosity and joy, rather than a punishment. 

Remember to tap into your FIVE SENSES to set the environment you need to get your child reading fast. I can't tell you how important this is!