In Focus - Reading

When writing our featured product list over the Christmas holidays we had so many things we wanted to share with you and not enough space to write it all….so In Focus was created. This is where you can find in depth information and ideas regarding products and services for families. We will choose one topic to write about over a month period updating the information weekly. This information will be archived so that it is always easily accessible to you. We would love to hear your thoughts and comments regarding this page and please let us know if there is something that you would like us to look at ‘in focus’.

Our first In Focus topic is reading, this week we bring you tips on how to structure a successful storytime with your child to maximize the enjoyment of your reading time together.

Children of all ages, like to be read to. Making story time free from interruptions like the radio, television or the phone, shows that you not only enjoy this time but value the reading time itself. Think of the most comfortable place you can be for reading, it may be in your child’s room or on the lounge. Sit your child on your lap or next to you and make sure that they can see the book and help you turn the pages as you read. If you are reading with a baby expect them to touch, grasp and taste, that is how they learn!

Read aloud three or four short stories every day. If your child loves a book then read it again and again and again. Repetition helps children to understand and remember the language that they hear. If however, you have an ‘ants in pants’ child who doesn’t like to sit still long enough to read three or four or even one whole story, start with one page, then build it up daily or as your child will allow. Choose books that will interest and excite them, as reading books about things they are not interested in will not entice them to become avid readers.

Read all types of books including beginners, picture books and especially those with repetition and rhyme. Read with expression, feeling and animation. Make it soft and make it loud, but not too scary. Try using different voices for different characters. Read the story with your face as well as your voice.
For older children let them giggle and laugh and sing the words you read. They will eventually learn to read it just like you. Talk about the pictures and the words as you read but make it a game … not work or ‘learning’. Remeber, reading is supposed to be fun!
Ensure your child sees you reading and have lots of different kinds of reading material at home including; magazines, newspapers, library books, non-fiction, poetry and chapter books. Place them all around the house and make sure your child sees all family members reading not just you. Remember, both mums and dads can read! Make reading a family activity – brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and grandparents can do the reading too.
Sara a bubs about town partner adds her comments; “It is recommended that we read at least three stories with our children every day from birth on. Although there seemed little point reading to a sleeping newborn we stuck with it and my now, eleven month old adores books and spends hours pulling his books out, turning the pages, lifting the flaps and searching for different textures. He loves story time with mum and dad and building a love of books and reading this young can only be beneficial as he grows.”

Finally, remember reading should be a fun time for you and your child. If your child loses interest or becomes upset when reading at home, take a break from reading and try again later.
In the coming weeks we will be bringing you information about age appropriate book features and content, reading aloud advice, popular picture books and also some helpful hints for parents of pre-school children in relation to literacy.

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