Reading a book with your child is an enjoyable and fulfilling time. One, it is a time for closeness, laughing and talking together and two, it can give children a flying start in life and help them become lifelong readers. But it is not every parent who is confident with books and reading out a loud. But there is really no right or wrong way to do it.
Here are some tips you can utilize:
- Set aside some time
Reading time is just as important as playing time or eating time. Therefore, you need to set aside some time for you and your child to read together. In addition, you need to find somewhere quiet and remove any distractions. Turn off the television, radio or computer so that you can have some undistracted minutes of reading.
- Let your child choose the book
By allowing your child to choose a book and sharing it with them, your child feels that you care about what they think and that their opinion matters to you. Moreover, they will be more likely to engage with the book. Don’t be domineering when it comes to reading. Allow them to choose what they feel is good to them and respect that decision. Don’t make them feel bad about it.
- Sit close together
Sitting far from your child while reading to them beats the purpose of the reading in the first place. Sit close to your child and encourage them to hold the book themselves or to turn the pages. Involve them in the reading process and don’t do everything yourself. That way, they will feel included and part of the activity.
- Point to the pictures
While reading a book with illustrations, relate them to something your child knows. Don’t just ignore the pictures and drawings. You can also ask them to describe the characters or situation or what will happen next. Encourage them to give their own story by looking at the pictures,
- Encourage your child to talk about the book
It is important to engage in a conversation with your child about the characters and their dilemmas. This helps them to understand relationships and it is also an excellent way for you to talk about difficult issues. Give you child time to respond. Don’t try and rush them into talking because it will only affect their self-esteem.
- Make reading fun
Most children grow up with the misconception that reading is fun because their parents never portrayed reading as a fun-filled activity. Your reading doesn’t really matter as long as both you and your child enjoy the time together. Use funny voices because kids love this. Make reading time an enjoyable time so that your child is always looking forward to those moments. Even in the future, they will find reading as such an enjoyable experience.
It is never too early to start reading with your child. As a matter of fact, the early you start the better. This will help to inculcate a reading culture in them. At whichever age, reading remains relevant.