Reading to your child is a great way to bond with him/her. In fact, children's reading experts say that reading is the simple and most effective approach to turning your child into a wide reader. A child who is constantly being read lively stories with rhythmic sounds and actions to boot is more likely to love and be fascinated with books as s/he grows up. Not only will your child be having fun, but you also get to enjoy in the process as well. And the more a child loves books, the more s/he will read and the more s/he will know.
Getting your child to appreciate the value of reading should come from you. There are simple steps that you can do to make that happen. Aside from reading to your child in the usual places such as his/her bed or the couch, try less traditional places such as outdoors under the shade of a tree, at a park or on a hammock. You can also keep a book in your car for your child to read for traffic delays or long road trips. Spread a blanket or a mat on the floor and have an instant reading picnic right at the comforts of your home as well. You can actually be surprised to find that almost every part of your house can be an exciting reading place for your child so use your imagination.
When reading to your child, start from the cradle. Reading can entertain a bored or quiet child and help a fussing one to calm down. Not only can reading do wonders for your child, it can also be an enriching experience for you as a parent too. Set some time each day to read to your child. Whether you want it before or after school, before or after nap time or before bedtime, make
sure that it best works for you and your child.
Maximize on the times when your family is most likely together, say, breakfast or dinner. You can read aloud from the newspaper while your child eats breakfast or ask your child to read to you while you do the dinner dishes. Be aware of how your child reacts. If s/he appear restless, your child may be telling you that s/he isn't quite all too attentive to what you are going to read to him/her. In this case, you may want to stop reading and consider doing another activity. Even if your child has already learned to read, continue reading to him/her. Your child will love listening to different books that s/he still cannot master on his/her own. And as your child reaches teenhood, s/he may even like to hear his/her old favorites as well.
Read whatever you lay your hands on. Aside from books, newspapers and magazines, read product labels, mail order catalogs, menus, billboards, road signs and many other items you can read on.
Also, try reading poetry or singing traditional rhymes such as Mother Goose and others. These contain the language's basic rhythms and fun verses that your child will enjoy. Picture storybooks and colorful artwork are also great for your very young child as well. Be more creative with the stories you read to your child. Substitute his/her name for the character's to make the story more real and interesting. Diversify your selections, going to old favorites at the same introducing fresh, new works. Expect plenty of questions from your child. Take the time to answer them as you go along with the story.
Try reading to your child and see just how enriching an experience it is not just for your child but for you as well!
