Literacy doesn’t only start when your child starts school. From birth, babies and children absorb information at an exceptional rate, and as such start gathering skills from everyday activities that will be useful to them throughout their entire life; such as reading.
The best way to instil a love for and interest in reading is to simply read to your child. And yet, many parents don’t; or wait until their child is school age before starting. What many parents don’t realise is that reading gives parents the opportunity to not only closely bond with their child from a young age, but opens them to the world of literacy and imagination before the learning even begins.
BENEFITS OF READING TO YOUR CHILD
Reading is important to develop language skills
While you may speak with your children every day, the vocabulary you use is often limited and repetitive. Reading books provides your child with the opportunity to be exposed to vocabulary on different topics and different levels, which means they hear words or phrases which they may not otherwise hear in their day-to-day lives.
Reading to your children also leads to questions about the book and the information within. Inquisitive children generally grow up to be better well rounded, so reading about things that sit outside their everyday lives gives them the chance to ask questions and you the opportunity to direct the narrative of about what is happening. This may even help develop their ability to form interests in different hobbies, cultures and/or languages.
Reading develops a child’s imagination and creativity
When a child gets lost in the world of a book their imagination is spiked and this is when we see a true love of reading form. In a world of technology where ipads, smart phones and television dominate their world, a book is a priceless gem. When they really engage in a book, they imagine what the characters are doing, what they look like and the environment that surrounds them. Developing this imagination and creativity is preparing them for their writing days ahead.
Read books about different topics
When reading to your child, expose them to a variety of books, authors and topics. It is easy to underestimate the importance of reading diverse books. However, by providing your child with different types of books on different topics, or even in different languages for those lucky enough to be bilingual, it gives them a wide range of information for them to learn from; and helps to expand their knowledge, imagination and skills.
There are so many different informative topics in books such as different animals, places, objects etc as well as different books to help children learn about important life skills such as sharing, being kind, using manners and diversity.
Be mindful that some children will want the same books read over and over again, and this can be ok too. It’s better to read an ‘old’ book, than not read at all.
Reading helps you develop a strong bond with your child
Hearing a story read aloud involves some level of comprehension on your child’s part. And comprehension is dependent on paying attention — in other words, listening skills.
Research has found that reading can support a strong parent-child relationship because children feel secure when they are being read to and feel loved when a parent spends quality time with them. Parents who have a positive attitude toward books and reading in turn helps their children view literacy in a positive way and gets them more excited about learning.
For parents who work, or have a busy lifestyle, relaxing with your child and simply enjoying each other’s company while reading can be a great way for you both to wind down, relax, and bond.
Although the life of a parent is often hectic, you should try to read with your child at least once a day at a regularly scheduled time. But don’t be discouraged if you skip a day or don’t always keep to your schedule. Just read to your child as often as you possibly can.
If you have more than one child, try to spend some time reading alone with each child, especially if they are more than two years apart. However, it’s also fine to read to children at different stages and ages at the same time. Most children enjoy listening to many types of stories.
When stories are complex, children can still get the idea and can be encouraged to ask questions. When stories are easy or familiar, youngsters enjoy these “old friends” and may even help in the reading. Taking the time to read with your children on a regular basis sends an important message: Reading is worthwhile.
TIPS FOR READING TO YOUR CHILD
Bedtime, bath time, potty time, on the train, on the bus, in the car, in the park, in the pram, in the cot, when you’re in the GP’s waiting room… anytime is a good time for a story. You can make books part of your daily routine by taking them with you to share and enjoy wherever you are.
Be consistent.
Whether it’s one book per day or 15, try to make reading a part of your regular routine. Mem Fox says we should read three books a day to children. And while you’re at it, whilst it’s a good idea to change things up with different types of books, you don’t have to read different books every time you sit down. Kids love hearing the same stories over and over again and they can still learn through this type of repetition. So don’t be discouraged if your child chooses the same book each time.
Take your time.
Be sure to leave enough time to read versus sneaking it in or — worse — making it a chore. Of course, you won’t have loads of time each day to read, so some quickies are just fine. However, your child should see reading as a dedicated activity and one that you give your full attention to. Turn off the TV, put your phone on silent and find a quiet place to read so that your child can hear your voice and not feel like you have somewhere else to be.
Make it fun.
Use different voices for characters, pauses, songs, or other dramatics to make the story come to life. Reading with flair will help your child better understand the story and become better engaged. It also provides a good model of expressive and fluent reading for kids who have begun reading by themselves.
Point out connections.
Children love applying stories to their own lives. It not only makes the text more meaningful, but it also may help your child cope with different situations they encounter in their everyday experience. Point out those connections to your child. Note where the character was brave about that monster beneath their bed. Applaud the character who used the potty for the first time.
Don’t stop with books.
Any exchange of words is beneficial to kids. So, if you’re uninspired by books one night, turn to telling stories. You can also look at pictures and talk about what you see or ask your child to be the storyteller. Anything that gets language flowing between you and your child is golden. This is also a great way to let their imaginations run wild and be creative.
Let your Toddler choose the books.
This is an excellent way to get them excited about storytime, by giving them the choice rather than being told what they have to listen to. But, be prepared to read your child’s favourite books over and over again.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN READING TO YOUR CHILD
If you have older children, they can share books with your younger children, or you can all read together. Taking turns, asking questions and listening to the answers are all important skills that will help children when they start learning how to read.
Reading is not just about books. A text-rich environment for children lays the groundwork for reading success. And whilst books are a great place to start, it’s never too early to start talking to your children about letters, numbers, and words on packages and signs. Help your child see how text is already a part of their daily life. Point out the name of their favourite foods, show them the labels on theirs clothes, point out signs while out walking or at the shops and show them the different parts of a birthday card or invitation.
You can even play games involving letter and number recognition. Can your child tell you any of the letters in the supermarket sign? Can they read the serving amount on a packaged snack? They will be delighted to understand more about their world — but don’t push their delight. Developing text awareness should never be a chore or forced.
Use your local library
Libraries have a lot to offer, Getting to know your local library can be part of learning about and loving books. You can borrow great children’s books for free from your local library. This means you can have plenty of books in your home for your child to explore.
Libraries also offer story times and activities for young children. Going along to these sessions is a way to help your child get familiar with the library, have fun and enjoy books and stories.
The importance of reading cannot be emphasised enough in young children, and you as parents should be making every day reading a high priority to give your child the best possible start to their learning adventure.
