This has been a decade of technological advances. From iPods to electronic readers children are bombarded with electrical images and stimulations. But the surprising truth is that even with all the advances in electronics and gadgetry, reading to children and having them read is still one of the most important skills to give a child.
Reading to a child can promote a child’s cerebral and emotional development. While any positive interaction between parent and child is helpful, reading is always a sure fire way to gain a positive foothold into a child’s life. Books open doors to new ideas, cultures and concepts. By reading to young children a parent helps instill a love of books in children and helps them want to read more.
The internet is a great learning resource for children as well as adults but a good reading ability should come first and foremost. Without a strong reading capability a child is unable to use the internet to its full potential.
Different Types of Books Appeal to Different Ages
Reading to a child is not only a good way to foster a love of reading but also a way to spend some quality time between parent and child. Phrasing and pictures appeal to distinct age groups. It is important to understand the different types of books appropriate for different stages.
- Newborn to 1 year – Big bright pictures in large books with bold colors. Infants' vision is still improving on a daily basis and the brighter, larger the pictures the more their interest will be held.
- 1 to 2 years – Books with animals and other babies, books about family life, moms and dads, and other babies. Soft touchable books are good to introduce now.
- 2 to 3 years – Books with characters from a favorite TV show or rhyming books help with word recognition and expand the thought process.
- Pre-school to teens – Unlike early times many preschoolers now have some letter recognition and site word re-call. So books for pre-school should be about fostering a love of reading. Of course as a child gets older, personal interest should be incorporated into a child’s reading library. While many adults are not fond of reading for pleasure it is something that should be encouraged in children of all ages.
The Parent’s Role in Fostering a Love of Reading
A parent is a partner in the life of his or her child. Parents can instill a love of books and delight in wordplay, develop pre-reading skills and help children become accomplished independent readers. Listed below are several ways to incorporate a joy of reading in a child.
- Read to the child every day. Start as early as possible. Books on tape can also be utilized.
- Sing nursery rhymes and children’s songs.
- As early as possible help the children obtain a library card.
- Treat books as though they are special.
- Give books at Christmas, birthdays and as rewards.
- Let the child make picture books by cutting out pictures from magazines or pictures they colored and glue them into homemade books.
- Make sure the child sees the parent reading. It doesn’t have to be a book; reading newspapers, magazines, or even the back of a cereal box can provide an example.
- When reading aloud, read with expression and excitement.
- Give the child opportunities to write even if it is unreadable.
- Let the child tell a story that the parent writes down. When it is completed let the child illustrate the story.
- Let the child pick the story for story time.
- Let the child help parents cook following a recipe card or cookbook.
Resources for Reading and Gaining Books
There are many ways to encourage reading in children. One of the most important things about reading with a child is that new brain pathways are being developed as the vocabulary is increasing. An expansive vocabulary will go far in helping a child be successful in school as well as in daily life.
While books are no longer as expensive as they once were it is possible to find books at a reasonable price for young readers. A library card is free and quite obtainable. Many thrift and discount stores have books for $1 or $2. There are also many web based sites that encourage reading. A good example is Starfall.
Despite the advancements made in the world, reading still stands as one of the greatest gifts a parent can teach a child. By using the right book and the quality of time reading a parent is able to increase not only the child’s vocabulary but also the child’s love of reading. Using different resources and providing many opportunities to incorporate reading into the child’s day will insure success for both parent and child.
Brenda Gargus - Brenda Gargus has a Masters' degree in Psychology and an undergraduate degree in Education. She has taught for 29 years in a variety of ...
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