Tips on reading books with your child
Sharing a book with your child can be a magical experience. By building story time into your daily routine you will be:
- Entering a shared world to explore together
- Developing your child’s imagination
- Introducing your little one to new words and meanings
- Giving them the chance to ask questions
- Helping them to relax and calm down
- Spending time together
- Having fun together!
Daily story time
Find a short slot in your daily routine (just before bedtime works best for many families) to read one or two books together every day. Find a quiet, cosy place to snuggle up, and put phones and screens away so you and your child have each other's full attention. Once it's become part of your routine, both you and your child will begin to look forward to this special time together.
Repeat, repeat, repeat
Reading the same book again and again will help your child get to know the story. Once they know it well, ask them about what’s happening or what's going to happen next and praise them when they respond.
Look at the pictures
The beauty of children’s books is that it doesn’t matter if you don’t read all the words - you can tell a story from the pictures! If your child knows the book well, or even if they don’t, let them have a go at becoming the storyteller just from looking at the pictures on the page. It will help them to improve their speaking skills and grow more confident.
Let them choose
Your child will enjoy choosing books for themselves from a bookshelf they can reach, a book box at home, or even ebooks on a phone or tablet. This will help you both discover the kinds of books and stories they enjoy the most.
Listen up
Your child might prefer to listen to audiobooks. Why not listen together for a completely immersive and relaxing experience? Explore our audiobook recommendations.
Take a trip to the library
Visit your local library with your child to find lots of new stories and activities together!
