Reading to a child is a special, magical time. It brings closeness, warmth, love and happiness to both the child and reader. So, when should I begin?
The Infant: Three months of age is not too early. Sit the child facing forward on your lap. Select books with cardboard covers, colorful pictures and even pop-up pages. Your baby will enjoy the colors, movement, your voice, and closeness to you.
The Crawling Infant: Babies are ready to listen to a simple picture book story. They can now begin to select their own stories because they can crawl to get them.
The Toddler: By age 18 months to two years, try slightly longer stories and, by age three, try reading a chapter book to your child. Start with a short one like the Stuart Little Series. However, my son listened intently to Charlotte’s Web at age three. He wanted me to read it again.
The Kindergartner: By age five or six, your child should enjoy chapter books. The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, The Ramona and Beezus, and Ralph S. Mouse books by Beverly Cleary. These stories are tender, real, and funny.
The First Grader: Do not stop reading now! Many parents think, “Now my child must read to me,” and they stop reading. While you want them to read to you, continue to read above their level. The Voyages of Narnia were my seven year old’s favorite.
Read Together as a Family. I watched a family with teenagers reading Harry Potter books together at a coffee shop. They took turns reading and everyone was engaged.
Why Read to Your Child? Reading develops listening, critical thinking skills, and vocabulary. The more complex the book, the larger the vocabulary your child will develop.
Make reading a family ritual, especially at bedtime. It sets the child’s mood for warmth, calmness, and love.
My child won’t sit still for a story. Let your active child pace, move, even, do cartwheels. When it comes to the pictures, show them to the child. Children with ADHD require movement to stimulate their brain in order to focus.
My child has a learning disability. Keep reading, to build vocabulary and comprehension skills.
I Cannot Afford to Buy Books. Ask for books instead of toys as gifts. Take your child to the library to select books of interest.
Here’s to reading daily and with delight at any age.