Uncovering The World of Reading for Your Kid
Baby Needs Books
Reading starts from a young age, and even a newborn will benefit from being read to. The sound of your voice and the habit of sitting calmly to be read to will develop a bond between you. Reading teaches babies about communication and introduces them to learning in a fun way. Babies are basically a sponge for new information, when they are first born is the best time to expose them to the world of books and get the most out of it. Through books, you as a parent can introduce them to colors, languages, numbers and so much more. Reading clearly is crucial as is the tone of your voice and cadence of the text is most important since it stimulates more interaction and engagement from your child. This engagement helps social development. The more language a baby is exposed to the better their vocabulary develops too.
Senses Matter
A baby being read to feels loved and stimulated through their senses. Textured books are a great tactile experience for babies. By a baby's first birthday they would have already learned all they need to grasp a new language, that’s why reading out loud is so important. Reading helps build their vocabulary, memory and learn about what’s around them. If you compare children whose parents read to them to those children whose parents did read to them, children whose parents read to them know more words by two years of age than children who weren’t exposed to reading parents.
Talk To Your Baby
Read books that contain sounds for your baby to start mimicking. This will help to develop their language.
Remember Your Audience
Make eye contact and engage with your baby as you read. Because, although it looks like babies are not listening, they are absorbing everything. Your tone of voice is crucial here as is how engaging and encouraging you are, affects how receptive your baby interacts with the book while you read, this helps social development and thinking.
Pick Up A Book Yourself
As your child gets older they follow If you find that you are no longer reading for pleasure, make the time and space to read. You need to be a reader to raise a reader. Kids often learn by example so if your children see you are reading then they are more likely to want to read too, plus they are more inclined to take you seriously when you ask them to read themselves. You can even turn this into a fun activity to do together throughout the week. Pick a time when you and your child can sit quietly and read at the same time. If your child sees that there is a set time in their routine for reading then it takes out the headache of finding time to do it. Additionally, you and your child both gain more time to spend together so it is a double win.
Toddlers Like Cuddle Reading Time
Reading is important for your child's social, physical, and emotional development. Your toddler will also start to connect the sound of your voice to the physical closeness of being read to.
Keep Things Calm
Reading happens throughout the day. When reading to your child, allow the atmosphere to be calm and soothing. Do not rush through the book.
Your Book Taste Matters
As a parent, you get to rediscover and enjoy the books of your youth, don't be afraid to introduce these to your child. Although some of the classics of your youth may seem inappropriate with regards to being sexist, racist, or outdated, it is advisable to read them again first before introducing them to your child.
Respect Your Child's Preferences
Children learn best when they are interested in a subject and your toddler already knows the types of books and topics they enjoy. Ask them which books they want you to read.
Involve Your Child
The more you involve a child, the more pleasurable reading is. Let your child turn pages, make noises, and point out pictures.
Let Them Interrupt
Your child learns by asking questions, let them interrupt your reading as this is how they are learning.
Expand your Child's World
Don't be afraid to introduce new topics and themes to your child. A variety of book choices will expand their knowledge of the world.
Books Need To Be Diverse And Inclusive
All children want to be represented in the pictures they see and the stories they hear. Exposing a child to diversity in the pages of a book will better prepare them for the world.
By choosing diverse, fun books to read with your children you can strengthen the bond between you both, develop their senses, grow their language knowledge, encourage their vocabulary, and expose them to a diverse world of people and experiences.