The Importance of Reading to Your Child

We are sure you are aware of the importance of reading to your child. We hope you have enough free time to read to your child each day. In addition, it is important for your child to see that you enjoy reading on a regular basis.

Above all, your child should know that reading is fun. Don’t ever turn reading into a chore or force is upon your child. Enjoy your time together.

Here are a few tips you might want to consider using:

• Ask your child to pick out a book and hold it for you. Is it being held correctly or is it upside-down? Does your child open the book from the back or from the front? Ask your child where you should look to begin reading – do they point to the words or to the picture? Show your child how books “work”.
  
  
• Children often ask for the same book to be read over and over again. Although adults may soon tire of this, it can be very beneficial to your child. Try to resist saying “I’m tired of this book – let’s read another one.” Children learn from repetition.
  
  
• Encourage your child to finish your sentences while reading. This is especially successful if the words rhyme or have been repeated throughout the book.
  
  
• When reading a new book, ask your child what they think will happen next. Children need to learn how to predict. You can also make predictions based on a book’s title.
  
  
• Let your child read a book to you. Don’t focus on getting every word exactly right – remember, this is supposed to be fun, not a chore.

In general, children enjoy books that contain any combination of rhyme, rhythm and repetition (the three Rs) but any book that is enjoyable for both of you is a good selection. Again, we hope that you are able to enjoy reading to your child each day… HAVE FUN READING WITH YOUR CHILD!