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Reading isn't just fun, it's a great way to bond!
Parents know that reading is important, but just how important is it? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you read to your child every day starting at 6 months of age. Not only is it good for development, but it allows quiet time for cuddling and bonding.
As you move into the preschool years, schedules get busy and parents often assume that by their child looking at books, it takes the place of being read to. Not so true. Preschoolers need the interaction just as infants do, so it's essential to read to your child every day, at approximately the same time. Working it into a bedtime or morning routine is the easiest way to achieve this.
Preschoolers also enjoy getting involved in reading the story with their parents, so let them complete a sentence or two. You may even notice that your preschooler will begin to recognize some words by sight. This is a great way to work in literacy and language skills, especially with words such as 'stop' or 'walk", since you can point them out in everyday settings. Just make sure not too push your preschooler too hard, as reading is supposed to be about the interaction and pleasure of bonding between parent and child.
And don't give up reading just because your preschooler is into looking at books by himself/herself. Words and concepts spoken out loud are better understood by children and much higher than what he/she is able to read. And of course, if you want to raise a child who's a reader, you must expose him/her at a young age. Studies show that children who are exposed to books at a young age can grasp the pleasure in reading easier. Studies also show that young readers are more likely to stay in school, have better vocabulary and grammar, and have an alternative to more sedentary activities (such as computer games or TV).
Just remember - reading books with your preschooler is not about the learning as much as it is the bonding and communication between parent and child. It's never to late (or early!) to start, so get reading with your preschooler today!
For a list of books recommended for preschoolers, please check out the list on my homepage!
Comments
Great article and great advice! My girls and I had a favorite book to read. I would read the narration, one would read one character, the other would growl when the tiger growled. We even tried to video tape it! It was always fun!
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