Introduce your child to reading

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It’s never too early to introduce your child to the joys of a good book. Here’s how to make reading special for both of you

Curling up with a good book is one of life’s great pleasures, for both grown-ups and tots. And although your little one is unlikely to be able to read more than a few basic words until she’s five or six, the earlier you introduce her to reading, the better it is for her development.

According to Wendy Cooling, founder of Bookstart, cultivating your toddler’s love of reading will boost her skills across the board. ‘Many children these days have poor language skills, but reading together will help improve her communication and conversational abilities,’ she says. ‘She’ll start school with a positive attitude towards books, ready to learn.’

Reading won’t just give your tot the gift of the gab. ‘Children who are brought up to enjoy books also do much better in numeracy tests,’ says Wendy. ‘And as your child gets older and is able to cope with longer stories, she’ll improve her ability to listen and concentrate – vital skills for any pre-schooler.’

But most importantly, reading is fun – for both of you. ‘Sharing a book is a special time between you and your child,’ Wendy adds. ‘It’s very good for bonding, and it gives you the chance to take five minutes out of a hectic day to sit quietly together.’ An opportunity to put our feet up? Count us in!

Choosing a book

The book you choose will make all the difference to your child’s enjoyment of it – it goes without saying that your fairy princess is likely to be less than impressed with a book about diggers!

Toddlers love books that they can hold easily, so choose board books, pop-ups and bath books. Look for bright colours and bold pictures to keep her enthralled.
If your little one is under two, she’s more likely to enjoy repetitive and rhyming books.

Or look out for picture books with no text: ‘I love wordless books, because they encourage you and your child to make up your own story,’ says Wendy. Older tots will begin to understand books with more text and simple story lines, but don’t force her to sit still and listen to an epic. ‘At first, she’ll probably only want to read for five minutes at a time,’ explains Wendy.

Are you sitting comfortably?

Reading to your toddler is the perfect excuse to unleash your inner impressionist/clown/comedian. Yes, you’ll sound silly, but entertaining her with funny voices and animal noises will get her giggling and hold her attention.

Use a slow, sing-song voice to bring the story to life, and try out different voices for different characters, encouraging her to join in.

While you’re reading, hold the book so your toddler can see the pictures. Point to things that seem to capture her attention, and spend time talking about the pictures before turning the page.

Try asking your child to point out a particular object on the page or make the appropriate animal noise, and give her lots of praise if she gets it right.

But what if you have the sort of tearaway tot that won’t sit still to eat her dinner, let alone listen to a story? Wendy suggests choosing books that appeal to her active, adventurous nature. ‘Look for books that give her something to do, so she can join in rather than just sitting and listening,’ she says.

‘There are lots of books with actions, like stretching tall and clapping hands. If she gets involved, she’ll end up listening to the story and enjoying it without even realising.’  

Get into good habits

The more you read to your child, the more she’ll benefit, so try to make reading part of your routine. ‘All mums are busy, but try not to see reading as a chore,’ Wendy advises.

‘Think of it as a chance to sit down and relax, even if only for five minutes.’ Needless to say, daddies are good at reading stories, too.

Many parents like to include a story as part of their tot’s bedtime routine, and it can be a lovely way to wind down. But if your little one is too tired at bedtime, or gets overexcited, try to introduce a regular story at another time – after lunch, before her bath, even when she’s sitting on the potty.

But don’t feel that reading can only take place at set times. Use a story to help your tot calm down if she’s haring around like a mad thing, or to distract her from an impending tantrum, or as a reward for eating all her breakfast.

And let her call the shots, too – try to make yourself available to read whenever she asks.

Be library lovers

Letting your tot choose her own books is an important part of developing her love of reading, so why not join your local library? It’s free, and will give her access to a far wider range of books than you’ve got at home.

Plus, many libraries run free story time and rhyme time sessions for pre-schoolers. ‘As well as being good fun, and giving you the opportunity to meet other mums, they can give you some good ideas about how to read to your child,’ says Wendy.

And remember that the library is a great place to keep your tot occupied on a rainy day – silence is, mercifully, not required in the children’s area!

Mums like you

‘Even the best-behaved children don’t always sit through a whole story. As soon as Jack starts fidgeting, I let him go. Then the next day, we try and read together for longer.’

Sally Owen, mum to Jack, 18 months

‘As a single mum, I sometimes struggle to find time to read, so I sit Cara down with a story tape with an accompanying picture book. She’s happy, and I can carry on with the chores.’

Jesse Crooks, mum to Cara, three, and Kieran, four months

Bookstart programme

Bookstart is a national scheme to encourage parents to introduce books to their children as early as possible. It aims to provide every baby with a free pack of books, which you’ll usually be given at your little one’s developmental checks, or when you join the library.

‘The Bookstart packs are magical,’ says Rosemary Clarke, head of Bookstart. ‘They’re full of books, tips and ideas, to help you make books part of your regular routine.’ For more information on how to claim your free pack, visit bookstart.org.uk.