What is so good about reading to children?
Reading to your child is the single most valuable thing you can do. Why?
- it gives experience of different types of language, rhythms and sounds research shows that pre-school children who are exposed to plenty of language (books and conversation) tend to do better at school
- it teaches about many topics which wouldn't come up in conversation
- it is a wonderful way to bond with your child
Reading for Babies?
Yes, babies benefit hugely. The effort of focusing on pictures develops eye muscles. And each time he hears a particular word, it imprints more strongly in his brain. Think: how do our brains learn? They learn by doing. Each time your baby sees, hears, or feels anything, brain connections form. Eventually, the connections are strong enough to create a skill or a piece of knowledge.
Choosing Books - For Babies, Toddlers and Nursery Children
For babies
Very young babies cannot focus well. You need books with large, simple pictures. Bold red, green, blue and black are usually best.
When you read to a baby, You could be pointing at the pictures and saying the names, which helps your baby focus on specific sounds. Or you could just read, so that the baby can enjoy the sound of your voice and hear the rhythms of different types of language, even though he won't have a clue what you are talking about.
Ideally, you need three sorts of books for a baby:
- bright, bold picture books to help focusing and identification
- books with poems, songs, or stories of any sort which YOU like reading
For toddlers and older pre-school children
For children who understand most of what they hear, you need different books. Let your child choose, some ‘guidance’ is necessary.
You need these sorts of books:
- a variety of different types of language to read to your child (including poetry, traditional stories and mystery as well as everyday stories)
- a range of easier books with very few words, so that your child can begin to 'read' independently, by remembering a story which he has heard often
- books which your child really likes for whatever reason
Source: http://childliteracy.com
Last update : 24-05-2008 05:07
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