Of all the gifts you can give your child, the one that keeps on giving is a love of reading. Instilling a love of reading begins at home - in your child's first classroom. Books can take your child on journeys into new worlds filled with endless discovery. Reading hones language and listening skills, spurs imagination and furthers your child's knowledge of the world around her. Whether you were raised on Shakespeare or rarely read to as a child, there is much you can do right now to open your child to the assortment and wonder of books. Where can you begin? Here are a few steps to get you started.
Once upon a time... From an early age, it is important to read to your child and share your love of reading. It is never too early to begin reading aloud. Exposing your child to language is invaluable building listening, memory and vocabulary skills. Board books with vibrant colors, pictures, numbers and nursery rhymes are perfect to keep infants engaged. As your child's attention span grows, she can transition to books with plots, characters and vivid illustrations. It is important to keep the books entertaining. When reading, change voices with characters, exclaim when the
plot escalates and be enthusiastic. Parents can keep children engaged by asking to point out various parts of the illustrations or asking questions about what happened to the characters. Offer your child the chance to turn the pages or share in the reading as she follows along. Even when your child has learned to read, continue to find a time each day to read aloud together.
Books, Books and More Books Once you have started uncovering the excitement in books, be sure to keep your child exposed to a wide variety of books. While buying new books can be a costly endeavor, consider other ways to expand your child's library. Make time to plan weekly outings to the public library. If your child is attached to a particular book, then purchase it at a local bookstore or online. Additionally, you can always try used book, thrift or dollar stores to stock up on inexpensive books. Or consider doing a book swap with friends who have children the same age. Use stickers to designate your books and keep a running inventory of your books, then swap books for a couple of weeks. Finally, check out local book fairs in the summer and stock up on books that often sell for a dollar or less.
Do as I Do Early on as a parent you realize the impact your actions have on your children. Leading by example is an essential part of good parenting. Modeling reading is extremely important when it comes to instilling a love of reading. Even for infants it is important to model good reading habits which include how to hold a book, turn the pages and use your voice to express yourself when reading. Eventually, as your child becomes an independent reader, it is important to continue encouraging her to read on her own. As your child grows up, make a point to read while your child is in the room. By modeling your love of reading, your child will emulate your behavior. If she only sees you watching television, she will not see the pleasure you can obtain from reading. The benefits of reading will help her continue to find success in school, while too much television can have the opposite effect.
Making the Right Connection Ésme Raji Codell, author of How to Get Your Child to Love Reading,suggests parents should not give up on reluctant readers who have not found their favorite author or genre. It is important to let your children explore a variety of reading material that interest them. If it is junk or simply magazines, still encourage them to read. Eventually, they will find what best fits their interests and keeps them engaged. If your children continue to struggle with reading, consider reading more to them to continue exposing them to rich language and new vocabulary. Experts agree reading for pleasure is the ultimate goal.
Choosing the Right Books To find the best age appropriate books, the American Library Association (ALA) offers annual awards to a wide range of children's literature. These award-winning books offer a selection of engaging stories for various ages. For good pictures books look for the Caldecott Medal seal. The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. For older readers, look for the Newberry Award seal.
The Newbery Medal is awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. For additional list of recommended books, check out the American Library Association.
