|
Reading aloud to your child is great fun,
but making a tape can have advantages, too - for one thing, some
children like to hear the same story over and over again. With
a story tape, they can hear it as many times as they like, and
they can also read along with it. And with headphones, they can
even listen to the tape at times where you need quiet.
However, there's something even better
than making a tape for your child - and that's making a tape
with your child. |
|
|
You can read one part and your child
can read another. Or you can read the narrative and your child
can do the voices - you could even get several children to join
in. You could use sound effects - the wind in the trees, a horse
galloping, rain, footsteps approaching, a car... use home made
musical instruments (a sheet of tin or plastic being rattled;
beans or lentils in a margarine tub; sandpaper wrapped around
pieces of wood; and yes - two coconut halves...); or make 'mouth
music' by exploring the noises you can make just using your body.
Before you start, practice reading the
story aloud several times. Try to be uninhibited - reading fluently
is good, but really throwing yourself into the story is even
better. In the scary parts, try dropping your voice. Read a little
slower to build suspense, and speed up a bit during things like
chase scenes. If you can, use different voices for the different
characters' dialogue. If you're using sound effects, practice
first without them, then with them. If you're working with your
child, try swapping parts around (maybe he could read the narrative
and you could do the dialogue...?)
When you come to tape your story, find
somewhere quiet. Make sure it doesn't have an echo. Test how
far you need to be from the machine - if you have one with a
separate microphone, try moving it around. Remember to give the
name of the story and author at the beginning (and for fun, you
could read a 'cast list' at the end).
When you've finished your tape, listen
to it with your child - and don't forget to share it with younger
brothers and sisters, or friends. |