Reading to your child
How to choose a good book…
- Stories should be appropriate for the child's age level. Many schools or public libraries offer lists of books by age range and subject matter.
- Pictures should be clear with not too many objects on a page.
- The Pictures should tell a story that makes sense without printed words.
- Stories should be for pleasure and fun, but include educational books too. Some books may teach new speech sounds, concepts (such as farm animals, things we wear, colors) or morals (how to share, make friends, etc.).
- Books should help add new words to the child's vocabulary.
How to read a book to your child…
Show delight and enthusiasm as you read. Never turn reading into a chore.
Try to read to your child each day.
Find a time when you and the child are relaxed and interested in reading, such as bedtime or after a nap.
Let your child choose the books and pages to read.
Point to the pictures as you talk about them.
Let the child help hold the book and turn the pages.
Tell a familiar story, but leave out words or parts of sentences for your child to fill in.
Let your child describe the pictures and tell the story to you.
Write down your child's homemade story and read it to him/her.
Ask the child to make up a story, or to finish one you have started.
If your child periodically does not show an interest in reading, continue to read to the child as he/she plays quietly. Eventually the child will again be eager to participate in reading.
