Did you know that reading to your child during the early developmental stage is very important? When you take the time with them, you are creating a language enriched environment. This is vital to their emotional and intellectual growth.
How do I find the time to read?
Make reading a daily practice. Your schedules are very busy, running this place and that, in a small amount of time. Find a time, for example, before bed to read together. Have a cup of water, brush teeth and cozy into their room in bed for a special reading time. This way it is something that both of you can look forward to.
Library Visits
Many Libraries have age-appropriate reading lists on their websites that you can peruse before visiting. Take the time with your child to go to the childrens' section to pick out a couple of books from the list or some on their own. Before you leave the library sit with them and read a page or two to make sure it is a book they are interested in.
Try to make the Library a very special outing frequently. This teaches them how to return the books and pick out new books. This is very exciting for children.
Read Out Loud
Very young children are always impressed with pictures and your reading voice. Each poem has an audio in a character voice at the end, for both of you to listen. The audio is also there to encourage children to read out loud while reading along.
This also helps with comprehension and memorization skills.
Parent and Child Inspired Poetry
There are many types of poetry that are exciting. Rhyming is a great way to get your child interested in rhyming sounds.
Try this exercise:
Sit and explain that both of you will think of words that rhyme.
Parent: You might say something like, "What rhymes with cat."
Child: Your child may say something such as, "fat, rat, bat."
Parent: Your turn to come up with a silly sentence. For example,
The cat sat
on a rat
(Write two more lines and finish the rhyme)
Write down your rhyme for your child to see it. They will be excited that they too can rhyme.
Ready, Set, Read
Read the poems on the website and listen to the audio. Take the time with your child to come up with your own silly rhymes that you created together.
When you are at the Library go to the poetry section or ask the Librarian to assist you in finding rhyming poetry books for children. Your kids will be amused at what they read and hear.
These tips were designed to get your "Creative Parent Juice" flowing! Placing these skills in your child’s life will encourage them to not only read, but both of you will have special memories of time you spent together.
