Reading Books To Babies And Toddlers
Reading books to babies and toddlers is one of the best ways to teach your child about the world. You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars on books, as long as you have two or three that you know your child loves to listen to, but having a wide selection of books for your toddler is a great idea if you want to begin a preschool reading program that will benefit your child for the rest of their life.
Reading to Babies
Children under the age of one have a limited attention span, so you will want to keep books for children this age short and simple. A baby’s preschool reading program should consist of books that contain simple or repetitive phrases that capture your child’s attention, so that you are not constantly struggling to maintain their attention.
The best books for babies also have simple pictures that use real life objects and people. Your child learns about the world through books, and reading is a great way to build an initial vocabulary with your baby.
Reading to Toddlers
Older children are much more likely to become involved in the stories you read to them, especially if you have allowed your child to have some say in which books you read. Many children will actively take a role in reading their favorite books, which are often memorized rather than read.
Your preschool reading program can expand to include some longer and more involved books after your child turns two. You will want to remember that your child still has a limited attention span, but will pay attention to books that capture his or her imagination.
Themed Books
Themed books, such as those about dinosaurs or princesses, are a great choice for kids three and up. The trick to making your preschool reading program work to teach your child is to choose a time for reading, and to use the characters that your child loves most.
If you have a child who is ready, you may even be able to introduce some basic phonics skills after the age of three. Most children can write their name, with practice, by the age of four with a routine preschool reading program. Using the books that work to promote curiosity in your child is the best way to instill a love of learning, especially when you are working with young children who still have big imaginations to work with.
Benefits of Early Reading
Reading to, and with, your babies and toddlers is an excellent way to bond with your child, and to instill a lifelong love of reading in them. The first few years of a child’s life are the most important, and a preschool reading program may be the best way to teach your child that books are an awesome way to learn.
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