Reading Between the Lines: Why Reading Month is About More Than Just Words
At Milestones Matter Therapy, we believe that every individual’s voice is valuable.
As we celebrate #NationalReadingMonth, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what literacy truly means for communication. While many focus on the number of words a child can decode, we know that the heart of reading is actually the connection or the "serve and return" interaction between you and your child.
Inclusive and compassionate speech therapy is about supporting connection in ways that work best for each individual. That is why we want to share one of our favorite techniques for building authentic communication: The Picture Walk.
The Magic of the "Picture Walk"
A 'Picture Walk' is a simple yet powerful way to honor a child’s unique communication style and sensory needs. Instead of reading the text from start to finish, you simply "walk" through the book together, looking only at the illustrations.
How to do a Picture Walk:
Skip the text: Put the written story aside and focus entirely on the images.
Follow their lead: See what catches your child’s eye—is it a bright color, a funny character, or a specific animal?
Wait and listen: Give your child 10 seconds of silence to point, gesture, or comment before you speak.
Narrate the action: Talk about what the characters are doing or feeling rather than just labeling objects.
This approach removes the pressure of "getting the words right" and turns reading into a shared social experience
Expanding the Language
Once you are engaged in a Picture Walk, you can use Language Expansion to help your child grow. This isn't about "fixing" how they talk; it’s about modeling how to add more detail to their thoughts.
The "Plus One" Rule: If your child points and says "Dog!", you can expand by saying, "Yes, a big brown dog!".
Describe the Feelings: If a character looks sad, use that as a bridge to talk about emotions: "He looks sad because he lost his ball."
Use Multimodal Strategies: Don't be afraid to use gestures, signs, or AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) to help bring thepictures to life.
Celebrating Communication in All Forms
National Reading Month is an opportunity to celebrate communication in all its beautiful forms. Whether your child is learning to communicate through speech, gestures, or AAC, the goal is always the same: functional communication and connection.
By shifting the focus from the words on the page to the "back-and-forth" interaction, you are building the foundation for a lifetime of confident communication.
Let’s Grow Together! 💚
Are you curious about your child’s communication milestones or looking for more ways to support their language journey? We are here to help!