The Importance of Reading to Children
September 29th 2008 00:38
Mem Fox, well-known children’s author, is passionate about the benefits of reading aloud to children. Not only does it help them to recognise printed words from a younger age, it also helps them with language development. On top of that, it is a fabulous bonding experience as you talk and laugh with your child.
The book is written in an informal easy to read style, and includes amusing cartoons throughout which relate to the points made.
Mem urges parents not to try to teach their child to read, instead make it an enjoyable experience for both of you.
The best time to start reading to your child is from the day they are born. Read them three different books a day, or the same book three times. Having meaningful conversations with your child is also an important part of language development, and discussing what is going on in a picture book is a good way of doing this.
I didn’t start reading to my daughter from birth, but I have been reading to her daily for the last six months. Now at 15 months old, even though she is not talking, apart from mama and dada there is evidence that she has a good understanding of language. For example, she has a book called The Lamb and the Caterpillar, so she is every interested in trying to pronounce the letter ‘L’ now.
Earlier this evening when she was wondering around aimlessly saying “LLLLLa la la” I said to her, “Where is your Lamb book? Go and get your lamb book and I will read it to you.” And she went to her toy box, got her lamb book, and brought it to me. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
She will often come up to me during the day and hand me a book, then climb up on my knee so I can read it to her. It is fantastic when she either leans back on me or squeezes my cheek as I read.
The other thing I have noticed her doing now, is looking through books by herself, sometimes she is even babbling and laughing as she turns the pages.
For more information, check out Mem Fox’s website and read her Ten Read aloud Commandments.
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