Reading with young children is not just about teaching them how to read; it’s about creating an enjoyable, interactive experience that fosters a love for books and learning. Here’s a deeper dive into the tips for reading with young children, with examples of how to incorporate these strategies into your reading sessions:
1. Make It Interactive
Reading with young children can become more engaging and fun if you make it interactive. Young children thrive on engagement, and involving them actively in the reading process helps develop their listening skills, comprehension, and vocabulary.
How to do it:
- Ask Questions: As you read, pause periodically to ask open-ended questions like, “What do you think will happen next?” or “How do you think the character feels?” Even if the child is not yet verbal, asking questions encourages them to start thinking about the story, which enhances comprehension.
- Example: “Why do you think the bear is looking sad? What do you think he will do next?”
- Let Them Turn the Pages: Allowing children to turn the pages themselves helps them feel more in control of the reading process and builds their fine motor skills. Plus, it keeps them engaged with the physicality of the book.
- Use Voices and Sounds: Varying your voice for different characters or making sound effects for actions (e.g., “Woof! Woof!” for a dog or “Zoom! Zoom!” for a car) makes the reading experience much more enjoyable and memorable.
- Example: If you’re reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar, you can make a sound like a “munch, munch” when the caterpillar is eating or use a deeper, sleepy voice for the caterpillar’s transformation.
2. Encourage Participation
Children love to feel like they’re part of the story, and encouraging them to “read” along with you can foster their confidence, language skills, and love for books.
How to do it:
- Let Them Predict: Children at this age are starting to understand cause and effect, and they love to predict what will happen next. You can pause during key moments of the story to let them guess.
- Example: In Brown Bear, Brown Bear, after reading “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see?” you might ask, “What do you think is coming next?” and encourage them to predict the next animal.
- Recite Familiar Phrases: When reading familiar books, invite your child to “read” along with you. Often, children will start to memorise phrases and enjoy saying them aloud, which builds confidence.
- Example: In Goodnight Moon, children might start joining in with “Goodnight Moon” or “Goodnight stars,” especially if it’s a book they’ve heard repeatedly.
3. Repeat Favourite Books
Children, especially younger ones, love repetition. It helps them build language skills, increase their vocabulary, and develop a sense of predictability and comfort. Repeating books also enhances their understanding of narrative structure.
How to do it:
- Read the Same Book Over and Over: It’s common for children to request the same book multiple times, and while it might seem repetitive, this is a key part of their learning process. Repetition helps reinforce new words, concepts, and the structure of a story.
- Example: If your child loves The Very Hungry Caterpillar, they will begin to anticipate the order of the food items the caterpillar eats and even try to “read” along with you.
- Expand on Repetition: As you repeat a book, you can expand by asking more detailed questions or introducing new concepts that align with the story.
- Example: “How many pieces of fruit did the caterpillar eat? Can you count them with me?” This helps deepen their understanding of numbers, colors, and patterns.
4. Create a Routine
Children thrive on consistency, and establishing a reading routine not only helps set expectations but also encourages a love for books. It can make reading feel like a special part of the day.
How to do it:
- Read Before Bed: Bedtime stories are a classic tradition for many families. The quiet, calm nature of reading before bed provides a perfect wind-down activity, and it’s a great time to bond with your child.
- Example: Choose a calming story, such as Goodnight Moon, that helps transition your child into a peaceful bedtime routine.
- Set a Reading Time During the Day: If bedtime reading doesn’t work for your family, try setting aside another time of day for reading, like after lunch or before nap time. Making reading a regular part of their day ensures that it becomes a routine activity they look forward to.
- Create a Special Reading Space: Having a designated “reading nook” or a cozy spot where you regularly read together can make the activity feel even more special.
- Example: Set up a small reading corner with cushions, blankets, and a basket of books where you can sit together.
5. Bonding and Emotional Development
Beyond literacy skills, reading with children provides an opportunity for emotional growth and connection. Through stories, children learn to identify and understand emotions, build empathy, and reflect on their own experiences.
How to do it:
- Discuss Feelings and Emotions: As you read, talk about how the characters are feeling and whether the child has ever felt the same way. This helps children develop emotional intelligence and empathy.
- Example: When reading The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, you might ask, “How do you think the rainbow fish feels when he shares his scales?” or “Have you ever shared something with a friend?”
- Use Books to Address Fears or Concerns: Books can also be an excellent way to help children process difficult emotions or experiences. Reading about characters who face challenges or fears can help children understand and navigate their own emotions.
- Example: The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn is a comforting book for children who may feel anxious about separation, like going to school or daycare.
The Big Picture: Why It Matters
Reading together offers much more than just educational benefits. It’s an opportunity to bond, to listen and engage with your child, and to create a warm, supportive environment. This shared experience can strengthen your relationship and provide a safe space for children to explore their emotions and develop social skills.
In addition to literacy development, reading helps children build attention span, imagination, and problem-solving skills. As they grow, books help them navigate their world, gain new perspectives, and learn how to handle relationships and emotions.
By making reading an interactive, enjoyable experience, you’ll help cultivate a love of books that can last a lifetime and lay the foundation for lifelong learning.