Monday, April 16, 2007

How to Read to your babies

First, be comfortable, cosy and relaxed - both of you. On the other hand, hearing a story can be very calming for a child who is in 'one of those moods'.

Next, make sure your child can see the book the right way up as you read.

For babies and toddlers up to 2 years
  • point at pictures and say or ask names of things (depending on age)
  • use a slow sing-song voice
  • use different voices for different characters - be entertaining
  • spend time talking about the pictures before turning the page
  • say a name and ask your older baby or toddler to point to the item
  • give huge praise each time your child points at and names an object

For 2-4 year-olds
  • give your child time to look at the pictures before you read
  • ask, 'Where's the...?' 'What's that called?' 'What's she doing?'
  • always follow text with your finger as you read
  • with familiar stories, see if your child can join in or finish phrases
  • ask questions like: 'Why did he do that?' 'What happens next?'
  • discuss things you both liked/didn't like and why

For 4 year-olds and over (and possibly some 3 year-olds)
  • as for 2-4 year olds
  • ask your child if he can remember the order of events in the story
  • try paired reading (sometimes called shared reading)

Special activity
If you think your child may be ready for a real reading activity, try this: choose a word which appears several times (such as a name) show it to your child and tell him what it says: can your child find the same word again?

This is a first 'Look and Say' or 'Whole word' activity. For information about Look and Say and the other methods of teaching reading, click here.

FINAL TIP:
Let your child see that reading is part of your life. Do you have books and newspapers in the house?

for More information, do visit - http://childliteracy.com/babies.html

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