Reading with your Child

Reading with your child

Sharing books right from the start...

Some useful tips for sharing books with young children:

• Try to make reading a regular part of your child's life.
• Hold or sit close to your child while you share the book so that you are both relaxed and comfortable.
• Start by introducing your baby to a fabric/bath book and let them explore it with you.
• Don't worry if your baby is too distracted to sit for a story, just pick a quieter time in their routine and try again. Many parents prefer bedtime reading, as it can be invaluable in settling a baby or small child.
• Don't worry if you are not a confident reader yourself. Your child loves the sound of your voice, simply turn the pages of the book and make up your own story. Don't be shy try out a silly voice or two.
• Let your child choose the book you will read together. This will encourage them to sit for the story initially and they are more likely to enjoy this experience if the book was their own choice.
• Children enjoy stories with rhythm and rhyme, action and noise and repetitive words or phrases.
• Children love to return to favourite books and stories - a book never becomes too babyish.
• During the day you read WITH babies and small children. They need to participate, to follow actions, say words, make sounds and sing along to rhymes.
• At night, you try to read TO your baby or small child. Select quiet stories, stories with gentle songs and rhymes.
  

Learning for Life starts here:

• You are your child's first teacher. Talk, sing nursery rhymes, tell stories and share books with your child-it's the most most important thing you can do.
• Sharing books and stories is the best way to introduce children to the enjoyment of reading.
• Follow the text with your fingertips as you read and your child will soon realize that the black squiggly bits are telling you what to say.
• Let your child see you reading for your own pleasure - a book, magazine or newspaper. They will naturally want to copy.
• Encourage talking by asking questions about a book you are sharing with your child. Let your child guess what is under the flap or on the next page. Accept any answer - a child's responses and reactions to pictures and stories are often a surprise and a delight.
• If your child is constantly on the move and you find it difficult to attract their attention use a visual aid to encourage them to share a story with you. Hand puppets, finger puppets or your child's favourite cuddly toy will capture your child's interest.
• Books used in this way will help develop language and stimulate imagination. As they grow older, your children will love to tell you about a favourite book using the pictures as a guide in their own words.
  
  What types of books should I read with my child?
  
  
  Every child is different so this is a rough guide only. If you have any questions ask staff at your local library.
  
  
  Age 0-12 months: Bath books, books that attach to your pram, buggy or cot, fabric books or board books that have touch and feel pages for your child to explore. Bath books can easily be wiped clean if your baby tries to eat the book! Chewing and licking fabric/bath books are normal reactions for babies at this age they explore everything with their mouths. Fabric books can normally be cleaned in your washing machine.
  
  Age 12 months- 2 years: Board books that have simple text, bright colours and short stories and board books that have touch and feel pages or sparkly pages for your child to explore. Books that allow your child to press buttons to create noises attract the interest of children who won't sit still for a story.
  
  Age 2-3 years: Picture books that have simple stories and rhyming text. Board books that have longer stories and exciting pictures to look at. Books that have lift the flap devices are popular with children of this age group.
  
  Age 3-5 years: Picture books with longer stories and beautifully illustrated pictures will hold their attention.
  
  
  Did you know?
  
• By the age of three, children understand 70% of the language that they will use for the rest of their lives.
• Research has illustrated that sharing books and stories with young children allows them to make good progress when they start school.
• Sharing a book with your child for ten minutes a day will make a difference.
• Children who learn to enjoy books when there are very young are more likely to be keen readers when they grow up.