Cultivating Reading Habit in Young Children
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.” — Dr. Seuss, “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!”
In a restaurant, one year old Wei Wei sits on a high chair while his mummy feeds him lunch. His eyes never leave the screen of the iPad, mummy think iPad is the perfect toy to pacify him especially in the public. It is a common sight these days that young child is exposed to IT gadgets instead of toys and books.
Mummy thinks that by using little finger, Wei Wei’s imagination expands! Child development experts are concerned that toddlers are exposed to iPad at this age. My question: Can’t the parents just give him a flip book instead?
“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” ― Albert Einstein
In Sweden, new-born baby is exposed to the world of reading at very young age.
“Barnens första bok“or “Baby’s first book” is distributed for free when the new-born babies make their very first health visit in their community health centre. Parents are given a gift voucher for the book, which they redeem from nearby library together with a journal where they record the details of the books the child is reading.
Tips for parents to develop healthy reading habits in their children
- Start them young
Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” — Emilie Buchwald
It is important to spend some time to encourage reading with your toddler. Research shown that children who are exposed to books at a young age will then progressively acquire writing skills. The ability to read well is one of the cornerstones of success throughout life. As parents, we need to provide an environment to entice the children to read. Choose the books suitable for your children’s age, put them on your lap and read softly to them. Treat this as a quality bonding time with the child! Share the story with warmth and love.
- Select the right books for the right age
Help the little ones to choose books that interest them. Promote reading as an enjoyable experience. Books for pre-schoolers are very short (8 pages) with few words on each page.
Recommendations: Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear Brown Bear, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt are some of the must read!
- Start a routine
Set specific time for reading, be it before bedtime or after meal. Be a reader yourself and set good example for your children!
- Off the TV
“So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall.” — Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Children quickly learn to read when there is no sigh of TV or any IT gadgets that is distracting!
- Build a home library for your children
“I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library.” — Jorge Luis Borges
Provide a comfortable cosy corner for reading activities at home. Ensure the place is quiet with suitable lighting. Place bean bags or a rugs with cushions if you like.
You could get reasonable priced pictures books in book fair like the recent HELP Children’s book fair and upcoming mega Big Black Wolf book fairs 7-23 Dec 2012!
- Expose them to books!
“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.”— Walt Disney
Bring your children to the libraries in your neighbourhood. Make a trip to the book shops with nice environment to read. Expose children to storytelling sessions. Young children are enticed with animated expressions and special sound effects by creative storyteller!
Developing good reading habits in children takes time and effort. However, the good news is that it is never too early or too late to begin. It is easy to encourage reading skills with these great award winning books which are sure to become instant favorites in your home!
Check out this outstanding selection of recommendations at our fan page!
Happy Reading!
Your partner throughout your pregnancy and parenting journey,
Pitter Patter Editor
P/S:Have any ideas to share on pregnancy and parenting?
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