How To Read Books With Your Child
Saving a little time for books every day is one of the best routines to help your child’s language skills grow. Physical books are ideal for infants, toddlers, and younger children with their tactile and visual input. E-books and audio books can be a fun option for older kids.
So, what’s the best way to read with your child? Firstly, keep in mind that engaging in the activity is secondary to maintaining your loving, supportive relationship. The overall goal is to share an experience that is layered with clear language and positive emotions. The content of the book is a sweet secondary reward. You are reading WITH your child, not TO your child.
If your kiddo is an infant or using very few single words then it’s a good idea to label each page of an illustrated book with one word. For example, if a board book illustrates kids on a playground you can point to the picture and say “Kids” or “Park” with exaggerated intonation to express interest.
Once your child starts combining words you can describe picture scenes. The text on the page may be too dense to keep your kiddo’s attention. Describing the pictures allows you to be more creative and comical, especially if it’s a familiar favorite. For instance, describing the scene in the previous paragraph may sound something like “Kids are playing outside”.
When your child begins asking and answering questions you can incorporate that into the reading routine. What / who / where questions are typically easiest, and when / why questions can be more challenging. Continuing the first example you could ask “Who is waiting for the kids at home?” or “Why do you like going to the park?”
Once children can attend to longer stories it’s beneficial to discuss how their own experiences relate to the book. You can also retell key events through play scenarios, which adds another layer of learning to the process.
Books bring us together and teach us in countless ways. When you read with your child today, be confident that you are meeting them where they are and proud that you are strengthening your beautiful bond.
