Science and social studies tell us that our child’s brain development and understanding are magnanimously helped by reading, talking, and singing together with the baby. A teething toddler may not utter words, but an observant and caring mother would surely pick her baby’s attentive responses. So let’s see what we achieve by reading to our babies:
- Helps a baby to recognize, words, their sounds, and finally the understanding of language—such babies are more eager to learn and develop academic skills.
- Improves parent-child bonding. A child grows fond of parents engaging expressions, during the storytelling sessions and responds to their loving sentiments by similar gestures and giggles.
- Increases a child’s awareness about the importance of books and knowledge.
- Stirs children’s creativity and imagination.
- Helps in the better development of the brain.
- Enables a child to develop focused attention.
- Helps to develop children’s communication skills and social interaction.
- Enables understanding of real and imaginary things in life
- Improves understanding of feelings and sentiments.
- help your child learn about the world, their own culture, and other cultures.
How to Read Books and Stories to Your Babies
All parents are great storytellers. It is that simple yet very few people practice the art. You may not need to read from the book even. Just maintain eye contact with the baby and hold the book in hand. Occasionally glance at the book and talk to the baby. Your words and expression will do the magic for the toddler. The baby will watch you and learn the way of holding the book and turning pages gently away. It’s going to be the first baby step for your toddler to develop a love for books.
The reading activity with your baby is certainly going to enrich your parenting bond with the child. Especially the working parents can sparingly afford quality time with kids. So, make such reading time valuable. Hold your baby in the loving embrace of your arms, read out loud, let the baby listen to your voice, let her feel the sentiments, and absorb warmth. The baby will respond with playful and eager emotions.
Watch Your Child’s Language and Cognitive Skills Progress while Reading Books
Children love listening to rhymes, songs, and stories. Modern technology has made it very easy to watch the best short stories for kids in the shape of videos and attractive animations. Every story is built around characters that children enjoy watching and register lots of stuff subconsciously even… Apparently, it appears to be a great activity for increasing literacy – which the child seemingly enjoys more than reading maybe!
But! Such screen time learning does not go very well in long run. The child is prone to imitate the peculiar accent of video characters and may develop an isolated imagination which restricts cognitive development. Conscious parents may reckon the sudden aggressive behavior and clumsiness in such kids even. I would surely love my child to be active, develop good linguistics, and perhaps sound like me. Books offer such a great opportunity to nourish the literary skills and intellect of babies. Without any screen distraction, the child is more likely to follow the parent’s call from the book. The colorful pictures in the books stimulate the interest of the baby, in just the right amounts. You would certainly like to see your baby learning from the books. Your child will hear and learn words and develop the language skills for correct pronunciation from the readings you share together. Plus, the books from verified authors and online stores offer authentic facts and knowledge that contribute immensely towards building a great vocabulary and powerful imagination.
Read Books to your Kids in Different Languages
Native language naturally offers a degree of comfort and confidence to any speaker. One can easily relate to the context and communicate with the kids. It becomes a lot more fun for the parents and kids to communicating in such a language of comfort. Understandably, English is not everyone’s native language. Nowadays books in different languages are easily accessible at online bookstores.
But do you know? Being dual-lingual has so many advantages. Research reveals that multi-lingual children show better brain development and comprehension skills. Books are a vital resource for such brilliant kids. Lots of children’s books nowadays are published in two languages and can be bought from online booksellers. Reading such bi-lingual books will surely help you and your kids to enhance your English language skills as well.
When is the Best Time for a Child to Read a Book or Listen to One
Read a lot to your toddlers. Whether it’s bath time or mealtime, bedtime or going on the bus, in the pram, on the dock, or in the cot … Include book reading or storytelling in every activity. Keep a baby book in your baby bag. Read and enjoy everywhere.
Make book reading a regular routine for growing kids. Arrange a cozy reading chair in a silent corner where you both feel comfortable following a regular reading routine. Your nine years old and elder ones may prove difficult. No need to turn off the mobiles or the internet. Search an interesting reading list for them. Many book stores offer such a helping list! Do not force the young ones to read nerdy stuff. Let them evolve. They may start reading Wimpy Kid Diary or The Harry Potter Series. It’s better to read something rather than nothing. Plan trips to bookshops either downtown or any online bookstores.
It would prove exciting. Create child’s interest in books by asking such questions
- Which books will you choose and how many?
- Can you find any books by your favorite writer?
- Do you have some favorite book series?
- When should we buy books again and at which book store?
Conclusion
Book reading offers numerous benefits for children of all ages. Books not only engage a child’s imagination but are really entertaining. They help to evolve creative thinking and analytical sense. Encourage your child and help him develop the habit of book reading. It will go a long way with your child – as a person and as a professional.