Read it Yourself At this stage of reading development, it"s rewarding to ask children how they prefer to approach each new story. Some children like to look first at the pictures and discuss them with an adult. Some children prefer the adult to read the story to them before they attempt it for themselves. Many children at this stage will be eager to read the story aloud to an adult at once, and to discuss it afterwards. Unknown words can be worked out by looking at the beginning letter (what sound does this letter make?) and the sounds the child recognises within the word. The child can then decide which word would make sense. Developing readers need lots of praise and encouragement.