For Parents
Welcome, parents! Discover tips, tools, and book suggestions to help your children fall in love with reading”. It’s a warm and friendly introduction, outlining how the page supports parents and why their role is essential in fostering a love for reading
Parents play a key role in fostering a love of reading among children. They introduce children to books and continue to model good reading habits throughout a child’s life. This can include everything from instituting a regular routine of reading to children, often at bedtime, to providing easy-to-access books and discussing them in their everyday lives. Not only does it normalise a culture of books and reading in the home, but it frames the activity as a necessity.
Children mirror parental behaviour and reading is the perfect way to increase the bond between you and your child in a way that allows for relaxation and enjoyment in each other’s company. Regular reading helps children develop vital skills such as empathy and kindness, while also exposing them to a wider vocabulary that helps improve their language skills. It also leads to improved cognitive development as they learn to better understand the world around them and express themselves in more complex ways.
Tips For Reading with Your Children:
- Choose a time that best suits you and your family, when you can all sit comfortably and quietly with your child (or children) to read. Bedtime is ideal as it allows you and your child to relax and calm down before they sleep.
- Allow your child to choose the book they want to read. Having a choice is key for their enjoyment!
- Don’t test your child or expect them to read the book they’ve selected. Just allow them to sit back and enjoy the story. You can even act out some of the parts or use different voices for different characters.
- Create a book friendly home! Make books easily accessible for children so they can pick them up and explore at their leisure. Placing shelves or book containers at a height where children can reach for books with ease.
- Engage in conversations about books. For example, ask your child if they like the book you’re reading together, or if they’ve read anything that interests them.
- Build a more inclusive and extensive home library by visiting local libraries, book fairs and festivals.
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