Reading to children
Parent’s Magazine has a new list of the best books for children, broken down by age.
I have very strong memories of my Dad reading me Dr.Seuss books. I love the crazy words, the images and the wacky scenarios.
Reading to children is one of the best activities and gifts you can give them. It is calming, bonding and promotes conversation about things you may not have talked about otherwise. Also, hearing the rhythm of language and sounds teaches kids about language and improves their own language skills. Reading promotes imagination and play, a venue through which kids learn.
Child Literacy (dot com) recommends the following based on age:
For babies and toddlers up to 2 years
- point at pictures and say or ask names of things (depending on age)
- use a slow sing-song voice
- use different voices for different characters - be entertaining
- spend time talking about the pictures before turning the page
- say a name and ask your older baby or toddler to point to the item
- give huge praise each time your child points at and names an object
For 2-4 year-olds
- give your child time to look at the pictures before you read
- ask, ‘Where’s the…?’ ‘What’s that called?’ ‘What’s she doing?’
- always follow text with your finger as you read
- with familiar stories, see if your child can join in or finish phrases
- ask questions like: ‘Why did he do that?’ ‘What happens next?’
- discuss things you both liked/didn’t like and why
For 4 year-olds and over (and possibly some 3 year-olds)
- as for 2-4 year olds
- ask your child if he can remember the order of events in the story
- try paired reading (sometimes called shared reading)
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April 4th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
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