Reading to young children has numerous benefits that can help them grow and develop. Not only does reading improve language skills and vocabulary, but it also works wonders in terms of developing cognitive thinking skills and social-emotional growth. Reading books to your children can also foster a love of learning and encourage them to become lifelong readers.
So, how can you incorporate reading into your daily routine when there are so many distractions like iPads and TV shows? Here are a few tips:
1.) Choose age-appropriate books: It's important to select books that are tailored to your child's age and interests. In order to do this, you must first determine your child’s reading and comprehension level. On one hand, for babies and toddlers, cloth and board books with easy-to-wipe covers make good choices. These Indestructible books are also perfect for babies as they are chew-proof, rip-proof, and drool-proof. Spilled milk? Just wash them off. On the other hand, older toddlers or preschoolers may enjoy paper page books with larger pictures and lift-the-flap features that keep them engaged and inspire their imagination. Check out the coolest lift-the-flap books available on edamama that are great for bedtime stories:
2.) Make it interactive: Encourage your child to participate in the story by asking questions, pointing to pictures, and making predictions. This helps them to make connections and better understand the story.
Here’s a bonus tip: Ask open-ended questions! This helps them think critically about the story and encourages them to express their own thoughts and ideas. Open-ended questions are questions that do not have a simple, one-word answer and require more thought and explanation. They encourage children to elaborate on their thoughts and to give more detailed responses.
3.) Use different voices: Adding variety to your reading voice can help bring the story to life, help them associate characters, and keep your child entertained. Also remember that facial expressions on top of it do wonders. I know what you’re thinking– yes, sometimes being a mom requires us to wear different hats including that of a theater actor!
4.) Move around: You ever wonder why preschool teachers love moving around and even use puppets when storytelling? It’s because movement opens doors for children to fully immerse themselves in the story. For example, in Cali's Book The Wheels on the Bus, you can demonstrate actions like rolling your hands when you read “go round and round”, opening and shutting your hands when you read “open, shut them”, and so on. You can even go as far as using props and accessories to help you out acting the story while you read.
5.) Set aside dedicated reading time: Make reading a part of your daily routine. This could be bedtime stories at night or any other time that works for your family. Aside from improving literacy skills, incorporating storytime in your daily schedule also strengthens your relationship as a family and provides children with senso of security and comfort. It can be something they look forward to everyday, especially for kids with quality time as their love language.
If you’re looking to update your child’s reading list or just starting out with your reading journey, here are some of the books under P500, both in Filipino and English, that our resident mamas and teachers at edamama swear by:
Incorporating these tips into your reading routine can help make reading to young children a fun and enjoyable experience for both you and your child. So, curl up with a good book and start reaping the many benefits of reading to young children today.