By LAURA DANIEL
Tiger Media Network
Early literacy programs are increasingly emphasizing “active reading,” an approach designed to engage young children more deeply with stories and improve long-term learning outcomes. Hays Public Library Early Literacy Coordinator Ashlyn Sager says the practice centers on interaction rather than passive listening.
“Active reading is reading with the intention of interacting as you read,” Sager said. “Traditional reading habits would be reading straight through without interaction.”
Sager says by encouraging children to participate during storytime, educators help them better process and retain information.
Selecting the right materials is key to making active reading effective. Sager recommends choosing books that naturally invite participation.
“Pick books that ask questions or include involvement in the book as you read,” she said.
Sager also notes that adults can guide the experience by posing their own questions or creating simple activities related to the story.
A variety of techniques can make stories more engaging for young readers. Sager highlighted strategies such as asking open-ended questions, acting out scenes with movement, incorporating music and rhymes, using repetition and adding crafts. These elements not only keep children interested but also support comprehension and creativity.
According to Sager, interactive storytelling helps children become active readers and learn how to process information more effectively. However, she acknowledged that attention span is often the biggest challenge. In today’s fast-paced, technology-filled environment, many children struggle to focus on a single activity for extended periods.
“The biggest key to improving attention span is practice and patience,” she said. “Start small and keep practicing daily, and you will see improvements with consistency.”
The benefits of early active reading extend well beyond childhood. Sager noted that engaging with books in this way teaches children what questions to ask and how to think critically about what they read, building a foundation for future academic success.
Libraries and community partners play an important role in modeling these skills for families, demonstrating interactive reading techniques and showing parents how to continue the practices at home.
Sager has already witnessed the positive impact of this approach.
“Through consistency, I have seen several children become the storytellers and perform my storytimes to their friends or siblings,” she said. “I’ve even had parents tell me they like to play storytime at home and sing our songs together.”
She added that these moments reflect growing confidence and creativity among young readers, showing that active reading is not only building literacy skills but also fostering a love of storytelling that children carry into their everyday lives.
Early Active Reading takes place from 10-10:30 a.m. every Monday in the Storytime Room at the Hays Public Library.