TIPS FOR READING A STORY TO YOUR CHILD

Whether you read or tell stories to your children you will be helping them in many ways. It is best if you can do some of both. Some of us don’t like telling stories very much, others don’t like reading. Do what works best for you and your child. The  general trick is: 
Follow your child’s lead when you are reading or telling stories so she can be a partner in the reading time – read the bits that she really likes over and over again. Stop when she wants to stop, skip the bits that she wants to skip.

Be guided by your child as to what she likes, but try out a range of books/stories so she has a choice to explore. 

HERE ARE A FEW  SPECIFIC TIPS FOR EACH PARTICULAR AGE GROUP

Babies 

Young babies will enjoy the warmth of your company and the sound and rhythm of your voice, long before they can understand the words.

Babies can start to learn to enjoy books from birth as you show them brightly coloured pictures and name the objects or sing a rhyme about the picture. They learn that reading is 'feeling good' time. It brings together the things that they need most to grow and develop - closeness, safety, touch, seeing, hearing, and learning about sounds as well as learning gradually what they mean.

They love being with you and will learn to understand the words that you say long before they can talk.

The best books for babies are cardboard or plastic ones that can be dropped and cleaned and still be read.

 Toddlers

Make story time part of your special bedtime routine every night.

Stories need to be simple and short because toddlers have short attention spans.

Toddlers enjoy books with colourful pictures, simple rhymes and stories about things they know.

Very young children often want their favourite stories over and over again. This can be important to them as they grow and learn.

Two year olds will often correct you if you even leave out a word. They will enjoy saying some of the words as they get to know their loved stories.

 Preschoolers

Let your children choose books or stories.

Stories can be acted out by you and your child.

Children can make pictures or models of stories.

Ask your children to tell you a story – and listen to them. Show you are interested.

Stories should not be too long – find books that you can start and finish in one go.

Take your child to the library and let him select some books to read from the section for his age. He may not like them all, but he will probably like some and he is learning to use a library. Ask the librarian about borrowing tapes.

Letting your child choose some of the books to borrow (and choose the stories you tell) will help him to learn that he is a partner in the reading time. He will start to think about books as something he can choose for himself.

 School Beginners

Don’t make story time a reading lesson – it is a time for sharing, relaxing and fun.

Don’t expect too much too soon when your children are learning to read stories for themselves. It takes a long time after children can read before they read well enough to really enjoy the stories they are reading. They will need you to read stories to them long after they can read for themselves. There is something special about having stories read to you at any age.

Allow your children to choose books they like to read, even if they are not your choice.

Help children find books about their interests, eg if they love dogs, cars or dinosaurs, look for books on these topics.

Beginners need books with simple words so they can read successfully and enjoy their skill. Books that are too hard can put them off.

All children are different. One child might not enjoy the same books or be at the same reading level as another child, or as an older brother or sister did at the same age.

Don’t worry if your children like comics as they get older – it is all part of reading. Once they are confident readers they are likely to want to move on to reading different things.

A point to remember is the fact that: Many children (and adults) like to return to old favourites from time to time, even when they can read much more difficult stories. This can also happen if children are unwell or unhappy because familiar loved stories can help them to regain a sense of security and well being.

TIPS ON WHERE TO FIND STORY BOOKS

Lists of suitable books for your child’s age can often be found at your local  library. School and preschool libraries usually have large range of books.

If you have never been to a library before it could feel strange at first. Try to go on a weekday when the library is not busy. Ask the librarian to help you find your way through the children’s section. Librarians are pleased to show you what the library has to offer and trained to know what books children are likely to enjoy.

Borrow a number of books each time you go. If your child really likes one and wants it over and over again, this is the one to buy and own.

Browse through bookshops or garage sales.

Often really good books can be bought cheaply as paperbacks.

It is enjoying the reading that counts. Starting with cheap books from the supermarket is a good way to help children to have some books to own.

Take your children to a children’s play where they will see stories acted out – or go just for the fun.

Give your child books for birthdays, Christmas, name days or just for a special treat. They are great presents.

This article is adopted from the, WOMEN AND CHILDREN HEALTH NETWORK. For  more information on story telling visit their website at http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=122&id=1552


KINDLY TAKE AFEW MINUTES AND VISIT THE OTHER PAGES IN ORDER TO GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CLINIC AND INCASE OF ANY QUESTIONS CONTACT US ON THE FOLLOWING LINK  http://nairobiparentingclinic.blogspot.com/p/contacts.html