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 (Highly recommend) (Highly recommend) (Highly recommend) (Highly recommend) (Highly recommend) 4.99 (Highly recommend) from 49 votes (809 Visits)

Reading Books To Your Children

ellamia by ellamia Talking Back(October 2007) (rank 49th)

Reading books and stories or sharing them with your children is great for all ages and they always enjoy reading. Most kids will enjoy reading anyway not necessarily all. Whether you are reading the book or making up stories or looking at pictures and telling a story are all fun

activities for the children and such a great way to learn. When your child is reading a book it teaches them about languages, such as words or numbers and feelings and other living things. This is such a special time to spend with your children and this is on the way of building a fantastic relationship with your child.

Babies
When they are babies they want to be held close and feel secure when you are reading to them so that they can listen to your voice. With babies they need simple board books, plastic or material books with clear and big photos. It might also be interesting to make up a simple story with the pictures and chat about the pictures to tell them what the objects in the book are. Babies love repetition and music it is calming for them. Once they get a little older they will start to pat or bang on the book and then start pointing at pictures or objects around the age of 1 or just over.

Toddlers
Toddlers love to help reading books with you such as turning the pages and lifting flaps and joining in with the story. They start to name objects that they know such as Duck, Piggy, Bub or Baby. Choose the right book for your toddler or let them pick a book of the shelf they would like you to read to them. Once again toddlers also love repetition and will love to hear their favourite book over and over again as this is how they learn.

Children
By the preschool age or maybe younger or older every child is different, they should be ready for a wide range or books. They will enjoy books with familiar things and objects. They will like books with games such as finding a object like "Where’s Wally". They will like books where they might find out about different animals such as Penguins. They enjoy books with songs and that rhymes these are normally their favourites for example maybe it might be Three Little Bears.

  • You should always have lots of books in the house and separate some away from the toys and keep some with the toys so they can look at pictures themselves.
  • Read books to your child as often as possible so they can learn, this can also help settle them if they are a little upset.
  • Always make reading a special time for you and your child. This can be a bedtime routine or just in the middle of the day.
  • Always choose a book that appeals to there interests in reading
  • Encourage your child to join in and help with reading the story this can be turning pages and finding objects to point at.
  • Try and correct their words if they aren’t saying them properly for example they maybe saying beil but they are trying to say ball. Just keep up the repetition.
  • Teach your child how to hold a book the right way up and to take care of it. Tell your child to read it from the title from beginning to the end of the book.
  • Be prepared when reading a story to them maybe have a browse through the book before hand and be familiar with the story. When sitting down to read the book make sure you both can see and are comfortable.
  • You can simplify the book if needed to so that your child can understand. Simplify thing like the words and maybe talk about the pictures. If however your child gets restless in this situation turn the pages quickly and use short comments for each page. When you reach the end say "well done" and "Yay we finished the book"
  • Use rhyming books and you can make games like guessing how the rhyme goes.
  • Go to the library to choose out different books instead of buying them all the time. This way is less cost.  You can also take them there for story time they usually have this at most libraries.
  • When reading stories maybe use different tones of voices and this can change the whole exciting part of the story.
  • Remember to repeat stories over and over. This is how they learn how books work.

I hope this helps in reading with your children, Happy Reading.



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mpoconnor
January 1st | mpoconnor
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

As a Librarian, and someone who spent many years working in children's departments I can agree wholeheartedly with this article. Reading to children is an incredibly important part of developing their literacy skills. It teaches children the rhythm of speech, the use of language and the joy that sharing stories can bring. Reading to children can be something that is a part of the daily routine, eg bedtime, but don't just read at these times, keep a couple of books in the car/pram/nappy bag & if you are stuck waiting somewhere, needing a distraction or just wanting some pleasant time together pull out the books.

Whilst reading to your children is important, it is also important to spend time sharing nursery rhymes. These are a great way of developing literacy and language skills. They went out of favour a few years ago, especially with the rise of political correctness, but if you have ever played "This little piggy" with your baby you will know that children don't care about political correctness, they care about the attention you are giving them.

Use your local public library. They are a free service, and often have classes for parents on sharing books with your babies, as well as storytimes, holiday activities and of course the option to borrow library materials.



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dominicsmom
November 2008 | dominicsmom
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

my son loves me reading him books, every day he will bring me a book, and ill read it to him, then i say to him, get me another book, and he will. so cute.



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summoneddestiny
November 2008 | summoneddestiny
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

I'm not due until around June, but I'm already looking for books to read to my child when he or she is born.  My mother read to me every single night when I was a child, and it gave me a huge head start.  Many of my classmates in early grade school had never had much experience with reading.  I can't imagine not giving my own child the chance to begin reading as young as I did.  It truly does open doors, and it's a crucial life skill as well.



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toddlers2008
October 2008 | toddlers2008
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

my children love us to read stoires to them, they often grab one finger and get us to point to the picture.

It's good to hear that being able to read more to them as much as you can can really help them in many ways.

Thanks for the advice.



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jolouels
October 2008 | jolouels
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

I am still amazed at the number of people who do not read to their children. My husband & I have been reading to our daughter since she was newborn,although  we have been ridiculed for this by some people I have to say.

She loves books, respects them & treats them well unlike some kids I know who use them for ripping & scribbling practice.

For a friends child's 2nd birthday I gave her a set of books & the mum said " they'll be great just as soon as she learns to read" I was left feeling sad for the kid & sad at the shortsightedness of her mum.

By the time a child gets to kindy you can really tell the ones who have been read to & they are so far ahead of the ones who haven't had this experience. I can't help but wonder why a parent would choose to put their child at such a disadvantage for the sake of a few minutes of their time.

I have a book by Mem Fox about the importance of reading to your child & I refer to it often.



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ajv00
October 2008 | ajv00
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

Thanks for the great advice, I love reading to my son and have always done this from about 2mths.  We go to the library every 3 weeks and H love it.



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missm1975
October 2008 | missm1975
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

i agree with this i have 5 children and by my reading to them all as young children it incouraged them to develop a love for books they read to them selves and to each other almost every night and its not a chore they just like to do it

 



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jaclee
October 2008 | jaclee
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

totally agree. we have a wide range of books for our 3 children they love to read we read to them aswell



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Daffyof2
October 2008 | Daffyof2
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

Books where would we be without them? Before t.v before radio and computers there were books. They gave us the ability to imagine and go anywhere and be whoever we wanted to be. That alone opened a whole world for us and led the science fiction to become reality. I love to read and let my mind take me to another world where anything is possiable. My mum read to me when I was a child and I love to do the same for my kids whenever I can. If I can give them the appreciation that I have books all by just reading to them then why not. Not to mention all the benifits of doing so.



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wokalota
October 2008 | wokalota
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

my children love reading books. i read to them every night before bed and sometimes during the day. my 13 month old loves pointing at pictures of babies and animals and her favourite is dora. my 4 year old isnt as interested in books as her sisters. my 5 year old is always asking me to read books to her. reading to my children helped to get them into a sleep routine and has also helped them to learn simple words and objects.  its such an enjoyable experience to sit down after a long hard day and read a book. it helps them to improve there imaginations.



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cass-gav
October 2008 | cass-gav
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

My husband and I read to our son in NICU because we couldnt hold him for 2 weeks and now the bond between us is amazing



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taniaa
October 2008 | taniaa
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

My children love reading,it's make them more clever.And i love to read to my baby of 10months and he enjoys it.



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Rose24
October 2008 | Rose24
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

I read to all my children and my eldest now reads to her younger siblings. Great advice.



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janicepovey
October 2008 | janicepovey
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

 Excellent advice  I always read to my children it was our special time together.

Thanks for sharing.

Cheers Janice



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JessesMum
October 2008 | JessesMum
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

My son loves reading time and I hope he always will



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breaker
October 2008 | breaker
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

This really does help children with getting started reading and it is simple i have 4 children and they all picked up reading pretty easy and it is deffinately because we always sat down and read books together it helps them familiarise them to the words .



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yellowrotar
October 2008 | yellowrotar
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

what great advice! i've been trying this and its awesome. thankyou very much



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katbutler84
October 2008 | katbutler84
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

This is great advice! Thanks for saying what type of books for what ages as it helps when wondering which type of books to get my dadughter.



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SpartanQueen
October 2008 | SpartanQueen
Reading Books To Your Children

It's really awesome to read books with my baby boy. The first time I tried it, he was really listening. I'm planning to widen his senses by listening to sounds and words so I'm expanding his library of books.



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ral76
October 2008 | ral76
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

Before my daughter was born, i started reading to her- and she adores reading and writing her own stories.   With my son...i was a little shorter on time but still made sure i read to him everyday, and i can't wait to see how he goes with his stories and reading when he starts school next year.  My youngest however, now that I'm on my own- and am very time poor, I'm sad to say I don't always get as much one on one time with him to read a story, but we usually manage a quick look at a book before bed at night.  I am interested to see how this will effect his reading and stories at school when the time comes.



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scmayne
October 2008 | scmayne
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

We've been reading to our 18 mos. old son since he was a newborn and he loves his books.  We've found that he loves books that have simple actions in them that he can perforn (reach way up high, touch your toes, etc.).  It's a great way for him to increase hislanguage skills, and for us to enjoy time together!



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josie7
October 2008 | josie7
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

my husband david and i have been reading to our son jack from very early on and now that he is a "big boy" he adores reading. he will read anything that he can get his hands on - within reason of course and we definitely don't have unsuitable material around.




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lmloring
October 2008 | lmloring
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

Hi there, i myself am a bookworm - a trait that i have passed on to my younger son (18 mnths).  He has many books - picture books, short stories and some long stories (i recently read to him over a week the original Alice In Wonderland).  He loves them all, and quite often everyday will have a book in his hand.  My older son (3 yrs) on the other hand has no patience listening to a story.  With him, i have found books that directly appeal to his interests eg.  he LOVES sharks - so i got him a junior grade book about different sharks - and he loves it.  Now my boys during "quiet time" can sit down together and enjoy their respective books.  Reading is important for all kids - any advice on how to encourage it should be taken in by all parents.

cheers!!!!



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Noelray
October 2008 | Noelray
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

HI, great start, don't forget magazines, especially ones you've read. Pop bub on the floor with said mags, grab your new,unread one and a cuppa- ahhh bliss. This way torn pages are not a problem and they start to get the idea of quiet-time. Happy days, Noelray.



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conanthewesty
October 2008 | conanthewesty
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

Great advice ellamia. As a teacher I regularly see where books have been valued and good role modelling has taken place. Bedtime stories are a fantastic way of instilling a love of books and are a wonderful time of bonding for parents and their children. Console games are great fun but it's hard to play the Wii with a toddler on your lap.



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hmack79
October 2008 | hmack79
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

N has just turned 1 and seems to be on the way to becoming a real little bookworm!  We read to him in the womb -  alternating between three books and any one of these stories used to instantly make him clamer when he was littler!  Now often I will find him sitting on the floor flipping through a book (usually upside down and back to front).  I think it is so important to read to your children and this piece of advice provides a good foundation to understanding where to start.   I especially like the section on reading to children - all of it is commonsense but like most things often if its not explicitly pointed out its easy to not consider it!  Happy reading everyone!



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exquisite-flower
September 2008 | exquisite-flower
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

I loved reading this.  We did all these things, and E loves reading - to the point I have blogged and bragged ().  Reading bring me such joy personally and it is wonderful that I am seeing it bring E joy too.  She even has a spot on her bed where she keeps her 'current reading book' because that is what my mother and I do.  Anyone see a trend here ... lol

Peace
EF.x



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nabutters
September 2008 | nabutters
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

good advise sweetie!! I always read to Myah and now she pretends to read to herself pointing to the pictures and all...LOL

na xxxxxxx



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Amerlinwinga
August 2008 | Amerlinwinga
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

Great advise! Well done and enjoyed reading it.

Tee



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Izzy
August 2008 | Izzy
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

I've always allowed my son access to all his books since he was a baby. I have chewed up books to show for it. But no matter... he is now 3 years 4 months and loves books! We read to him and he always asks for "5 more minutes" all the time. So now we've allowed him to 'read' his books by himself in bed with his flashlight. He falls asleep with his books all over the bed.



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lisam
April 2008 | lisam
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

Great advice I have been reading tohannah since she was in my tummy, i try to make this a special time now I try reading to her during the day and before she goes to bed she use to try and eat the book but she has more understanding now i think.

Thanks lisam



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llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | October 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Reading Books To Your Children
Awesome advice Kelly - I taught myself once I knew the basics, and so did Stephen - because our mum's read to us all the time.  Jaydee understands the concept, though he'd rather read to his toys than read with us at the moment... Except the age old stalling tactic when it is BIG sleep time LOL.


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ellamia
5.00 (Excellent) | October 2007 | ellamia
Re: Reading Books To Your Children
Nar i agree with everyone read to them even when in your belly it makes them aware of your voice. Reading books is so much fun and being like Sumara or Ella they love reading books its good to take them everywhere. Best way to learn. Thanks everyone.


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Kellzacar
5.00 (Excellent) | October 2007 | Kellzacar
Re: Reading Books To Your Children
WOW Great advice!!

I have always began reading to my bubs when they are still in my belly and then as they lay in my arms. Most of my so called friends etc laughed at me but ALL my kids are exceptional readers are are well above their age groups for reading.

Sumara my 16months old is addicted to books . . we must always carry at least 4 in the car, 2 in her pram and she has haps and heaps at home. At the moment she we are using picture books with touch and feel segments and they are a great hit!!

I think teaching our kids the fun way to learn is another treasured gift that we can give to our kids. . .

Cheers Kellz


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eteachey
5.00 (Excellent) | October 2007 | eteachey
Re: Reading Books To Your Children
Great advice girl, an early love of reading is very important :)

xoxoxo

Ellen


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gteachey
5.00 (Excellent) | October 2007 | gteachey
Re: Reading Books To Your Children
Great Advice! Loved the article, very nicely done and informative


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cazza
5.00 (Excellent) | October 2007 | cazza
Re: Reading Books To Your Children
Great Advise and you already know how much my 3 love reading hehe,....

take care
love  cazza


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winja
5.00 (Excellent) | October 2007 | winja
Re: Reading Books To Your Children
hey great advice hun! an early love of reading can follow a person thru their life, i know thats the case with me my mum read to me and tried with my sis my sis didnt like to sit still i did, to this day i still have a massive appreciation for books, my sis thinks a book is a magazine with the more pictures the better! lol. chloe loved touch and feel books and books with poetry when she was a bub now she is the age where she can read to herself but still loves to have a cuddle with mum and a book b4 bed, but when i leave she will take out another and read to herself.


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HarrisonsMommy
5.00 (Excellent) | October 2007 | HarrisonsMommy
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

Great Advice Kelly!  I think reading is a wonderful way to spend time with your child.  One of Harrison's favourite books is one I got him as a tiny 3 month old baby.  He loves it, althought he has loved it a little too much and the cover has come off.

Thanks-Angela



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goodie
5.00 (Excellent) | October 2007 | goodie
Re: Reading Books To Your Children

excellent article! i was told to read to mackinnley even while pregnant, and that it doesn't matter waht you read at first (with in reason) but just that you take the time to read with them. they will love it. reading to your kids teaches them a number of things for example vocabulary, lessons, etc. anyway great article as always, keep up the good work!

love jade



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