Reading aloud to children at an early age is important for the development of reading skills. There are many good books for kids, suitable for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Finding the time for reading can be easy if a routine is established. Reading at bedtime is a good way to help a child unwind from a long day.
Children with strong reading habits and access to books at home learn to read at an earlier age and have more success in school, according to the article "Improving Reading for Children and Teens" on the Child Development Institute website.
What to Look for in Choosing a Book for Toddlers
There are a couple of considerations for picking a book to read with young children. Toddlers are very active and have a very short attention span. One way to engage them is by picking a picture book with few words and simple pictures. Most picture books have just a word or two on each page and the illustrations are drawn to elicit an understanding of the story.
Young children are drawn to bold, primary colors and simple designs. An intricately detailed book will be harder for them to relate to. Board books are typically less expensive than hard back books and sturdier as well. A child's small hands can hold the board book and turn the pages with ease and little risk of tearing pages.
Pick a book with a basic story line; choose something the child has experience with and can relate to. A story on using chopsticks may have little relevance for a small child living on a farm in Georgia, for example.
Classic Books for Kids
Some books never lose their appeal for children and remain timeless. These books have been entertaining young children for years with their simple themes and good illustrations.
Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is a classic story about a little rabbit settling down to sleep for the night. The book is painted in primary colors with a sing-song rhythm to the words children will love. The story is short and simple, with basic vocabulary words and corresponding pictures (ISBN: 0694003611)
Pat the Bunny by Edith K. Davies was written in 1940 and remains a perennial favorite for babies and toddlers. The book is interactive with tactile features to engage the young reader. The story line is not as developed as in other books but clearly allows the child to follow along. ( ISBN: 0307120007)
The Runaway Bunny, another book by Margaret Wise Brown, is about a bunny who tells his mother he’s running away. It’s a sweet story of a mother’s dedication to her baby. The story line is a bit complicated for a young toddler, but the pictures can be used to tell a simplified version of the story. (ISBN: 0061074292)
A Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle is a bright colorful story of a caterpillar and its transformation into a butterfly. It’s a fun story for children, simple and direct. (ISBN: 0399226907)
How to Provide Reading Experiences for Young Children
There are many ways to make sure children have access to books. Parents who read in the presence of their children are modeling good reading habits. Here are some suggestion on how to make reading materials available to children:
- Buy children books as gifts.
- Place a child’s books on a safe bookcase in his room.
- Take children to the library for reading times, and allow them to check out books.
- Schedule regular reading time with children.
- Offer books as an alternative to watching TV.
- Bring books along in the car.
When children are given exposure to books and see adults reading they will want to read as well. Reading to young children can be an enriching experience for a parent and teach valuable skills to children. For some interesting books to read to children about Christmas, check out Christmas Books for Children Benefits of Reading Aloud
For more tips on reading with children, see the Parents as Teachers website.
Walker Thornton - Professional freelance writer and blogger, Walker blogs at A Page of My Own and A Woman's Page, a blog focusing on women later in life. ...
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