| How to Read a Bedtime Story Posted: 25 Dec 2021 04:00 PM PST Reading to a child is a great way to spend time together. Reading has been shown to increase a child's vocabulary and build an emotional attachment between caregiver and child. You can start reading bedtime stories to your child as an infant, and keep reading together as long as they show an interest. [Edit]Reading Bedtime Stories to a Baby - Start early. It might seem silly to read to your baby before they understand language or can focus on the pictures in a book. But reading to your baby at a young age will associate the warmth and comfort of your presence with the experience of reading, which might help to ensure that they grow into a book lover.
- Even in the womb, a baby can hear your voice and begin to associate it with you. As a newborn, your baby will love hearing the sound of your voice and will also learn the cadence of language.
- Make stories a part of your daily bedtime routine. Having a routine at bedtime can help your baby settle into sleep easier and ensure that they sleep longer. It's also a great time to sit and cuddle together, and help your baby wind down from the day.
- Consider a nightly bath, pajamas, a story, and then bed. Try to do the same routine each night at about the same time.[1]
- Feel free to adjust the story to fit your baby's mood. You can skip over certain parts, paraphrase the action in the pictures, or act out the story.[2]
- Try classic books for babies. Your baby can't understand words or follow a complicated story, so choose a book that is beautiful or engaging to look at and interesting to hear. The sounds of the words themselves can be educational to your child, who is just learning about language. Choose a book with a gentle, rhyming cadence. Also look for a book that is brief, since a baby won't have a long attention span when they're tired in the evening.
- Some great English-language bedtime stories for babies include Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson, and Time for Bed by Mem Fox.[3]
- Read to babies in a gentle, relaxing voice. Try to vary your pitch a bit as you read to keep your baby's attention and help them understand the flow of language. Because it is bedtime, avoid reading stories that are too active or upbeat. These might overstimulate a sleepy baby and make it harder for them to fall asleep.
[Edit]Reading Bedtime Stories to a Toddler or Preschooler - Let your child choose the book. There are several ways you might do this, depending on your child's personality and how well they are able to choose from a selection of books.
- Take your child to the library and let them choose several picture books to bring home. For a child who is new to books, choose just two or three books; children who love story time and want a different book each night should get five to ten. When it is time for a bedtime story, let your child choose from the library books. You can also let your child choose from books in your home library, if you have one.
- Alternately, if your child needs a bit of help with choosing, narrow it down to two or three books and then let your child choose.
- Expect to read the same story over and over. Children at this age learn from repetition, and you may literally have to read the same bedtime story dozens of times before your child tires of it. Your child is busy memorizing the pictures and words, and gets a thrill from knowing what is coming on the next page.
- Reading the same story multiple times can help your children gain fluency with words and increase their confidence and comprehension skills as they grow into independent readers.[4]
- Kids learn from repetition. Reading the same book over and over can help to increase your child's vocabulary.[5]
- Reading a familiar book is also a great way for a child to wind down at the end of the day. Their favorite books are comforting and soothing and can help ease them into a sleepy state.
- Choose something you enjoy, too. It can be a lot of fun to read books to children, but it can also be stressful or boring if you choose the wrong type of book. Some people love reading the tongue-twisting rhymes of Dr. Seuss books, for example, while other people find that type of reading difficult and unpleasant. If you enjoy a particular type of children's book or a particular author, be sure to incorporate those books into your reading ritual.
- If your child is old enough and has a good attention span, you might try reading 2 short picture books every night. Let your child choose one, and you choose the other.
- You can also liven up story time by using finger puppets, cloth puppets, or varying the voices of the characters.
- Consider a popular book for this age group. Most toddlers and preschoolers love picture books that feature interesting but simple stories, lovable characters, and rhythm or rhyme in the words. Try to choose a book that is not too long, or your child (or you) might become bored.
- Most children's picture books are around thirty pages; for this age group, look for books that do not have dense paragraphs of text but rather just a few lines on every page.
- Some good titles for two to five year old children include What! Cried Granny by Kate Lum, The Napping House by Audrey Wood, and The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton.[6]
[Edit]Reading to Older Children - Try reading chapter books together. Before your child learns to read, you can read the book to your child. As your child gets older, you may find it fun to alternate paragraphs, or have your child read the book to you. Aim for one chapter per night.
- Many elementary schools require their students to read for a set amount of time each night. Incorporating this homework into your bedtime story is a great way to multitask and make the homework fun.
- Ask your child about what they have read to increase their comprehension skills. You can help them recall and repeat the story if necessary.[7]
- Don't worry about who chooses the book. Sometimes your child may want to choose, and that's great. If your child doesn't have a strong opinion about what to read, you can introduce them to your own childhood favorites, or consult a list of popular children's books to find a new favorite for you both to enjoy.
- Some classic stories for elementary-aged children include the Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner, The BFG by Roald Dahl, and The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster.
- Older children ages twelve and up might enjoy books like the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling or even the Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien.
- Don't forget their old favorites. Even when your child is old enough for longer chapter books, they might still enjoy a fun picture book every now and then. Follow your child's lead.
- Remember that it is more important for you to spend this time together reading something they enjoy than it is to worry about the level or type of book that you're reading.
- Read together as long as they are interested. You don't have to set a time limit on bedtime stories. It is totally normal for big kids to enjoy bedtime stories. If you have several kids, the oldest may still enjoy participating in bedtime stories together with the younger children.
- At some point, your child may decide they would rather read on their own. That's ok too! You've had many wonderful years of bedtime stories.
[Edit]Practicing Good Reading Strategies - Choose a cozy place to read. You might like to sit in a rocking chair or a cozy loveseat for your bedtimes stories. You can also cuddle in your bed or your child's to help induce sleepiness.
- Let young children sit on your lap, and cuddle with a blanket while you read. Older children can snuggle next to you with your arm around their shoulders. If your child doesn't prefer to cuddle, that's ok too. Being together is what matters.
- Focus on the child's interests. While there are certain stories that are traditionally read at bedtime (like Goodnight Moon), you can read almost any type of story as a bedtime story. Most children express interest in certain types of books, and their interest can change over time. It's perfectly ok to choose a "bedtime story" that is not a typical story.
- For instance, many children love to look at seek-and-find picture books, or may find looking at an almanac of dog breeds interesting. The important thing is to spend the time with your child and a book in a low-pressure, reassuring environment.
- Read with expression. Children of all ages love to listen to expressive tones of voice during story time. When you read a bedtime story with expression, your child will pick up on your enthusiasm and listen intently to the story. [8]
- Try giving every character a distinct voice, and don't be afraid to be silly.
- Build anticipation for what will come next in the story by adding strategic pauses or exclamations to the words on the page. For instance, instead of saying, "Outside the window, she saw a big brown bear," you might say, "Outside the window she saw a big… brown…. BEAR!"
- Encourage your child with early literacy strategies. Even if your child can't yet read, there are a few things you can do to help them acquire the skills needed to begin reading. For instance, recalling the story line or series of events using sequencing words helps. Introduce the words "First," "Next," "Then," and "Finally," to help your child narrate back a storyline to you.[9] You can also try:
- Pointing at words as you say them. This helps to teach the child that words on the page correlate to spoken words.
- Anticipating what will happen next. Ask your child to predict what will happen on the next page.[10] This encourages them to use context clues and decipher the story arc.
- Read a few words, then ask an early reader to read a word. You can point to sight words they've learned recently, or ask them to sound out a word they don't yet know.
- Ask your child questions. You don't have to just read a story straight through; you can stop at any point to discuss what you've read, ask your child questions, or let your child look at the pictures in detail.[11] A bedtime story should be enjoyable and relaxed.
- Show enthusiasm for reading. At the end of a long day, it can be hard to muster excitement for another round of Goodnight Moon when all you want to do is put your children to bed and enjoy some quiet time to yourself. But your children will pick up on your enthusiasm or lack thereof.
- Remember that this time with your children is something they look forward to all day. Try to be present in the moment and enjoy it.
- Keep the book's complexity one level ahead of your child's comprehension. Children learn a lot during bedtime stories. You can help grow their vocabularies by reading a book that is just a bit difficult, so that they are exposed to new words and slightly longer sentences. If your child is four years old, try books geared for five or six year old children. Generally, the age recommendations for picture books can be found on the back of the book's title page.
- If you come across a word that your child does not know, briefly define it as you read. For instance, as you are reading, you might say: "The princess memorized the secret code. Memorized means she learned it so that she could remember it later."
- Don't read a book that is too difficult. If you see your child losing interest, you might want to choose a different book.
[Edit]Warnings - It's a good idea to preview the book before reading it to your child, especially if the cover art makes you think it could be scary or upsetting.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Use a Corkscrew Posted: 25 Dec 2021 08:00 AM PST Don't let a simple cork stand between you and a bottle of wine! There are several types of corkscrews, but most are relatively easy to use. The basic technique is to screw a metal spiral into the bottle's cork, then pull it outwards. Wine keys and winged corkscrews take the least amount of effort, but simple corkscrews or travel varieties can also be used in a pinch. Just remember to work gently, and you'll be pouring in no time! [Edit]Using a Wine Key - Open the wine key. This type of tool has a couple of parts. You will see a long, metal spiral, called the "worm" and a flatter portion that serves as a lever when opening a bottle of wine. Depending on the model, your wine key may also have a short blade with you can use to cut through foil if a cork is covered in it.[1]
- The spiral and lever parts will be folded into the wine key handle. Unfold them and your key is ready to use.
- Twist the worm into the cork. Poke the sharp tip of the worm slightly outside the center of the cork. Gently twist it clockwise until only one spiral of the worm shows. Usually, this will take about six and a half turns.[2]
- Use the blade or the tip of the worm to cut away foil from the cork first, if necessary.
- Place the lever against the bottle. The flat lever on the wine key will have two curved indentations on its sides. Position the lever so that these fit against the lip of the glass bottle, next to the cork. This will provide leverage to help you extract the cork.[3]
- Rock and twist the cork to remove it. Use gentle side to side motions while pulling up on the handle of the wine key. You can pivot your hand on the lever portion of the wine key if you need more support as you pull. Remove the cork and enjoy![4]
- Use your other hand to hold the bottle in place as you pull the cork out.
- Take your time. If you try to force the cork out, it may break before it is fully removed.
- Remember to unscrew the cork from the worm, then fold your wine key closed and put it away when you are done.
[Edit]Using a Winged Corkscrew - Lower the corkscrew's levers. This type of corkscrew will have two long levers (the "wings") positioned on the sides of a center ring. Inside the ring there will be a long metal spiral (the "worm"), controlled by a tab at the top that can be twisted. Start by lowering the wings toward the center ring. The worm should rise simultaneously.[5]
- Place the center ring over the cork. The center ring will be just a little wider than the opening of a standard wine bottle, so it should fit easily. The wings should stay down.[6]
- If the opening of your wine bottle is covered in foil, remove this first.
- Turn the center tab clockwise. The sharp tip of the worm will pierce the cork. As you turn the tab, the worm will continue to wind its way into the cork. Keep turning gently until the wings are raised all the way up toward the tab.[7]
- Fold the levers back down. Grasp the levers with one or both hands and gently lower them back towards the sides of the corkscrew and the bottle. As you push them down, the cork will start to come out like magic! If the cork doesn't come quite all the way out, gently twist and rock it side to side until it is fully removed. Enjoy your wine![8]
- Use your free hand to hold the bottle in place if you have to pull the cork out at all.
- Don't forget to to unscrew the cork from the worm before putting your corkscrew away.
[Edit]Using a Simple Corkscrew - Open the corkscrew, if necessary. The simplest corkscrews are "t" shaped, just a spiral metal "worm" with a handle attached at the top. Travel corkscrews, however have two parts: a worm with a plastic handle, capped by a sheath that narrows at one end. The sheath will pull away or unscrew to reveal the worm.[9]
- The handles of some simple corkscrews will fold down against the worm. If yours is like this, just raise them upwards until the tool resembles a "t" shape.
- Slip the sheath into the handle if you are using a travel corkscrew. The plastic handle at the top of the worm should have a hole it it that is about the diameter of the handle. Slide the narrow end of the sheath into this hole, stopping when it no longer slides easily. The corkscrew should now be a "t" shape.[10]
- Screw the worm into the cork. Position the sharp tip of the worm just outside the center of the cork and gently twist it clockwise. Keep screwing it in until only the last turn of the worm sticks out of the cork.[11]
- Pull the cork out. Grasp the "t" shaped handle, and slowly pull upwards to remove the cork. Gently pull, twist, and rock the cork from side to side until it comes all the way out. Then start pouring![12]
- Take your free hand and hold the bottle at the neck as you pull the cork out.
- Unscrew the cork from the worm after removing it.
- Remove the sheath from the hole and place it back over the worm when you are done if you are using a travel corkscrew.
- Run hot water over the top of the wine bottle for 30 seconds to loose a stubborn cork.
- Most Swiss army knives have a corkscrew on them. Get one and always be able to get your drink on.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Thicken Sauce with Flour Posted: 25 Dec 2021 12:00 AM PST It can be tough to achieve the perfect consistency when making a sauce. Luckily, most kitchens are stocked with an effective and time-tested thickening agent—flour. For a quick and easy approach, just mix raw flour with a little cold water and whisk it into your sauce as you cook. With a bit of extra effort, you can create an especially luscious and creamy sauce by mixing flour and fat to create a roux. [Edit]Making a Roux - Choose a fat that's right for your roux. The type of fat you choose will affect the flavor and texture of your sauce, so take this into account before you start cooking. The common options include:[1]
- Butter, for a rich and creamy flavor. This is a good choice for cream-based sauces, like bechamel or alfredo.
- Animal fat, such as bacon or pork drippings. This will impart a meaty or sausage-like flavor, so choose this option for gumbos and other Creole dishes.
- Vegetable oil. This is the most neutral option, flavor-wise. It's also less likely to burn than butter-based roux and is a vegan-friendly choice.
- Mix together equal parts flour and fat in a saucepan. Use of fat and 2 tablespoons (about 16-18 grams) of flour for every of sauce, or a little more flour for a thicker sauce. Stir the fat and flour together with a long-handled wooden spoon until they are thoroughly combined.[2]
- If you're using a hard fat, like butter, melt it in the pan first and then stir the butter in.
- Cook the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Once you've mixed your ingredients together, begin cooking the roux. You will need to keep stirring in order to prevent the roux from burning.[3] It's especially easy to scorch butter-based roux, so keep a close eye on your pot as you cook.
- You can ensure even cooking by stirring in a figure-8 pattern.[4]
- Let the roux cook until it reaches the desired color. The longer you cook your roux, the darker it will become. Darker roux has a more toasty and complex flavor, but it is also less effective at thickening than a lighter roux.[5]
- Cook for 3-5 minutes for a light roux, which is good for sauces like bechamel or white gravy.[6] A light roux should be cooked enough to lose the characteristic raw flour taste and smell, but not long enough that it begins to brown.
- For brown roux, cook for 6-7 minutes. This is an ideal roux for brown gravy.[7]
- If you want dark roux, let your mixture cook for 8-15 minutes. This is a good option for Cajun and Creole sauces.[8]
- Allow the roux to cool before combining it with your sauce. When your roux is cooked to the desired color, remove it from the heat and let it sit for a while. You can use it once it is warm to the touch (as opposed to hot) or even refrigerate it and use it cold.[9]
- If you add the roux to a cooler sauce while it is still bubbling hot, it will break apart and form clumps.
- As a general rule, it's best to combine roux and the rest of your sauce when they are at similar temperatures. For example, if haven't started heating your sauce yet, add the roux while both are cold or lukewarm.
- Whisk the roux into your sauce and let it simmer for at least 20 minutes. Once your roux is cooled, stir it gradually into your sauce. Make sure to mix it thoroughly so that the sauce thickens evenly. Allow the mixture to simmer for 20 minutes or longer so that any residual flour flavor is cooked out.[10]
- During the simmering process, fat or oil may rise to the top of the sauce. Use a spoon to skim it off.
[Edit]Making a Flour Slurry - Mix a little flour and water in a bowl. Use 2 tablespoons (about 16-18 grams) of flour and of water for every of sauce. Mix the water and flour carefully, making sure that there are no lumps.[11]
- Be sure to use cold water, since warm or hot water will cause the flour to clump together.
- If you want a thicker sauce, add a little more flour. Use less flour for a thinner sauce.
- Stir the flour and water combination into your sauce. Once the flour and water are thoroughly mixed, slowly pour this mixture (called a slurry) into the sauce.[12] Keep stirring or whisking as you pour to prevent clumps from forming.[13]
- Make sure the slurry is thoroughly mixed into the sauce to create an even thickness.
- Cook the sauce over medium heat until it thickens. After mixing in the slurry, allow the sauce to cook until it becomes bubbly. You should also notice the sauce becoming thicker. Keep stirring as the sauce continues to cook to prevent burning.[14]
- The sauce will thicken a little more after it cools, so aim for getting it just shy of how thick you want it. You may need to experiment a bit to achieve the texture you want.
- Let the sauce cook 1 more minute after it thickens. Keep checking the sauce as it cooks to see if it has achieved the desired thickness. After that, give it an additional minute to cook before taking it off the heat. This will give the flour time to cook thoroughly so that your sauce doesn't have a strong raw flour flavor.[15]
- Allowing the sauce to reach a full boil after adding the slurry can also help cook off the flour flavor.[16] Take care not to let your sauce burn, however!
[Edit]Warnings - While it may be tempting to dump a little flour directly into your sauce, this will only result in clumps and frustration. Making a slurry or roux separates the flour granules and helps distribute them more evenly through the sauce.
[Edit]References __ [Edit]Quick Summary |
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