Tips for Reading to a Child
- Make your child an active participant in the reading.
- Since your kid imitates your behavior, let her see you read books. Let her know that reading is a part of life!
- Let your child feel that reading a book with him is a pleasurable and enjoyable experience, and not a stressful activity that you are forcing him to do.
- Form a habit of reading to her at the same time each day, or at least several times a week. Choose a time when you and your child are both relaxed and not rushed.
- Choose books that your kid will be most interested in, and appropriate for his age. A young child likes colorful drawings and pictures of people.
- To help your child understand that letters and words are symbols that are used to communicate, run your finger under the print but don’t force your child to follow your finger.
- Sometimes, your kid likes a particular book and wants to read it repeatedly. Do not discourage this, since she finds reading this book pleasurable – and pleasure is what she should get from reading!
- Expose your kid though to a variety of books.
- You can use reading as a way to allay your child’s fears or prepare him for changes in his life.
- Teach your child to treasure books and treat them with respect – keeping them clean and in good condition.
- Surround your kid with books. Keep books where your kid can easily reach them so she will be able to browse them by himself.
- Take books to read to your child on long trips and places where you have to wait like the doctor’s office.
