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Totally Booked
It is never too early to introduce your child to books
By Shaan Moledina, Louise Evans and Lucy Dimbylow
Curling up with a good book is one of life’s great pleasures. And although your little one is unlikely to be able to read more than a few basic words until she’s 5 or 6, the earlier you introduce her to reading, the better it is for her development.
Cultivating your toddler’s love of reading will boost lots of skills, notes Fiona Walker, principal director of Julia Gabriel Centre for Learning and Chiltern House. “A child understands and appreciates far more than she can independently read. Sharing stories and poetry with your child immerses her in print conventions, rich vocabulary and sentence structures she will encounter in later reading experiences,” she says.
Walker notes that reading doesn’t just give your little one the gift of the gab, “At the same time, she develops her ability to listen, focus on print and concentrate, developing her ability to multitask physically and cognitively ? critical skills for reading success.”
Most importantly, reading is fun. “Another benefit of reading to your child is the precious time spent snuggled up and together transported into the magical places only reading can take you.” Walker adds.
THE RIGHT CHOICE
The book you choose makes all the difference to your child’s enjoyment. Toddlers love books they can hold easily, so choose board books, pop-ups and bath books in bright colours with big, bold pictures. If your little one is under 2, she’s more likely to enjoy repetitive and rhyming books. Or look out for picture books with no text which encourages you and your child to make up your own stories.
Also try and identify your little one’s latest craze ? this month it may be trains or the colour red. This may help narrow the field a little and get your tot even more excited about story-time. “My daughter who is 2 years old can sit for ages as I read all her Maisy stories. But she won’t sit for more than a few seconds when I begin to read Asterix to my 5-year-old son. She’s not interested!” says Walker.
Older kids may begin to understand books with more text and simple story lines, but don’t force her to sit still and listen to an epic. “The fastest way to turn a child off is to make reading a chore and a challenge,” Walker points out. “Regularly make time to share books, stories and poetry with your child ? this will make a huge difference to her motivation to read.”
JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT
Reading to your toddler can unleash your inner impressionist. Yes, you’ll sound silly, but entertaining her with funny voices and animal noises will get her giggling and hold her attention. Use a slow, sing-song voice to bring the story to life, and encourage her to join in.
Walker also suggests using your child’s name instead of a character’s name and making puppets and using them to act out a story to your child to create a more interactive reading experience.
While you’re reading, hold the book so your toddler can see the pictures. Point to things that seem to capture her attention and spend time talking about the pictures. Try asking your child to point out a particular object on the page or make the right animal noise, and give her lots of praise if she gets it right.
If you have a tearaway tot, choose books that appeal to her active nature and those that let her join in rather than just have her listen. Look for books that give her something to do. There are lots of books with actions, like stretching tall and clapping. If she gets involved, she’ll end up having a good time while listening to the story without realising it!
FORM GOOD HABITS
Even after a difficult day at the office, try not to see reading to your child as a chore you have to get through. Think of it as a time to lay back and relax ? even if it’s just for five minutes before she runs off again. And don’t forget, dads are excellent story tellers as well!
Many parents like to include a story as part of their tot’s bedtime routine. But if your little one is too tired then, try introducing a regular story after lunch, before her bath, or even when she’s sitting on the potty.
But don’t feel that reading can only take place at set times. Use a story to help your tot calm down if she’s haring around or as a reward when she’s good. And let her call the shots, too - try and make yourself available to read whenever she asks.
BE A LIBRARY LOVER
Letting your tot choose her own books is an important part of developing her love of reading, so why not join your neighbourhood library?
It’s free and will give her access to a wide range of books. Plus, many libraries run free story- and rhyme-time sessions for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, where you can meet other mums and swap storybook recommendations!
And remember that the library is a great place to take your tot on a rainy day, since complete silence is, mercifully, not expected in the children’s area!
“Children develop the skills for reading sometime between the ages of 3 and 7, so it is important not to make reading a chore or a source of stress for your child,” Walker asserts.
Children should be able to recognise their own name and letters of the alphabet by about 3, and will be able to sight-read common signs like “Stop” or “McDonald’s”.
Research shows that children who are brought up in a literacy-rich environment read at an earlier age, so make sure that your home is filled with books, magazines, newspapers. Even if your child can’t read it all, he will see how valued reading and the written word is.
So the more you read to your child, the more she’ll benefit. Start reading to your child from birth, Walker advises, since listening to your voice and the rhythm of the language will bring a sense of contentment to very young babies.
She notes, “Even before they can understand the meaning of the words they can enjoy the routine and sounds, and by starting early, you are laying a strong foundation for developing a love of reading and sharing of stories together.”
TOP TIP
Check out the latest books and read customer reviews at websites like www.amazon.com to get a better idea of the content. This will save you a lot of time browsing through the bookstore.
Mums Like You
Mums share their read-smart solutions.
Try, Try, Try Again
“Even the best-behaved children don’t always sit through a whole story. As soon as Joshua starts fidgeting, I let him go. Then the next day we try to read together for longer.”
Winnie Sim, mum to Joshua, 18 months.
Listen and Learn
“As a single mum, I can’t always find the time to read, so I give Kelly a story tape with a picture book. She’s happy, and I can carry on with the chores.”
Colleen Chew, mum to Kyle, 4 months, and Kelly, 3. |
Spread The Word
Ten first reads worth checking out, according to Fiona Walker, principal director of Julia Gabriel Centre for Learning and Chiltern House, recommends these 10 titles.
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Banrnyard Dance, by Sandra Boynton
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There’s a Wocket In My Pocket, by Dr Seuss
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Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown
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Mama Do You Love Me, by Barbara Joose
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Kipper’s Toy Box, by Mike Inkpen
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Ten In The Bed, by Penny Dale
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I Want My Potty, by Ross Tony
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I'm A Baby You're A Baby, by Lisa Kopper
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The Pig In The Pond, by Martin Waddell
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The Mixed Up Chameleon, by Eric Carle
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If you have any comments or practical suggestions, write to us at editor@family.sg
- Mother & Baby
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