Enjoy Reading
How should I read to my child? • As you read to your child, bring the characters to life – talk about the characters, the drawings and the events so that the story starts to come alive. • Don’t be afraid to try different voices or try out your acting skills. While you may not win an Oscar, your child will enjoy your performance and appreciate the story even more. • Remember that your face says it all – so exaggerate your normal expression times three like a children’s TV presenter: children will love it. • Emphasise repeated words and phrases (‘the big bad wolf ’; ‘… blew, and blew, and blew the house down’). In this way, your child starts to learn the language used in books. Encourage your child to say the words with you. • Turn off the television and concentrate on enjoying the book. • Try audio books that children can listen to on the car stereo, on computers or phones – this is a great way to build a child’s understanding of stories and improve their listening. How often should I read to my child, and how long for? • Be guided by how long they will listen. For younger children this may be quite short periods of time, while slightly older children may be readier to listen for longer. • As for how often, there’s no right answer, but many experts suggest a routine helps. For school-age children, a bedtime story can be a nice way for you to spend a small amount of time together and wind down after a busy day. For pre-school children, shorter bursts of reading throughout the day may be a good idea but, again, be guided by how long your child will listen.
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