Reading: Selecting Books for Your Child
As the pages of a book are turned, a child’s world is broadened. Books are valuable because they:
- spark creativity and imagination
- introduce new people, places, and ideas
- build vocabulary and strengthen use of language
- clarify difficult situations and troublesome feelings.
Books help children reach out to the world beyond home and community and perceive an ever-expanding array of possibilities.
Books also foster the attachment between parent and child. Pleasant, happy experiences with books and stories during the early years are vital for a continuing love and curiosity into adulthood. One secret to instilling a love of reading in your child is letting your child see you enjoy reading as well.
Infants (0 - 18 months)
Books can be an integral part of your child’s life from the beginning. Your newborn will enjoy just hearing your voice, so read aloud your favorite mystery or spy novel while feeding or cuddling with the baby. The interchange between you and your infant is far more important than the actual plot or pictures in a book.
As the baby gets older, read to her on a daily basis. Choose books that are durable (cloth or boardbooks) with bright colors and large simple pictures. Constant repetition of the books will encourage baby’s speech and help her to recognize and name familiar objects. She will enjoy feeling the rough and smooth textures found in “touching” books and listening to the lilting sounds of nonsense verse and nursery rhymes. You’ll be surprised at how quickly she will learn to join in the rhymes and songs.
If you continue to make reading time fun, your baby will develop a lifelong love for reading and books.
Toddler Literature (18 months to 3 years)
During toddlerhood, children begin to take a definite interest in words and wordplay. They begin to know some words to favorite nursery rhymes by heart, and love to hear their favorite stories over and over again.
Children of this age enjoy naming things. Books and stories should highlight people and objects common to toddler life.
Toddlers have short, wandering attention spans, so stories should always be short, simple, and evident from the pictures. Most appropriate are large-format books that develop one main character through action and activity. Happy, clear-cut endings are essential.
Preschool (3 to 6 years)
Reading aloud to a preschooler is invaluable. Children learn reading skills while watching you read from left to right and top to bottom and begins to associate printed symbols with meaningful words.
Young children love to participate directly with you and the book. They like to open flaps, ask questions, and make comments.
Books provide a simple introduction to concepts like size, shape, and color. Preschoolers’ preoccupation with the “whys” of the world creates interest in books and stories about the weather, nature, animal life, and transportation. Books can also help children with fears or feelings. Stories that use a light, usually humorous, touch in dealing with problems or feelings are helpful.
Younger School-Age (6 to 9 years)
At this age children begin to display the quality of “seriousness.” They are learning new words and new concepts daily.
Children in this stage are beginning to read for themselves. They need books that fit their reading level. Overestimating a child’s reading ability leads to frustration and disappointment. Young readers require books with simple words and strong, simple storylines.
As children grow a little older, they begin to enjoy reading longer, more involved tales. They also enjoy realistic stories about family, friends, and school. Their interest is held by stories about children from other countries, simple biographies, serialized fiction, and collections of jokes, riddles, and tongue-twisters. They will probably want to read books where they are the same gender as the main character. They still love to listen to stories read by others.
Older School-Age (9 to 12 years)
At this age, it is not unusual for a child to spend hours pouring over books on a particular interest such as magic, model making, or animals. Do not be surprised or concerned, however, if your child’s interests appear to change from day to day.
More complex characters and sophisticated storylines are now necessary to hold their interest. They are capable of more complex thought and have developed the ability to put themselves in another’s place. They can appreciate books that highlight different points of view.
Adventure and fantasy books are popular, as are more realistic historical or contemporary stories about interpersonal relationships. Children of this age find biographies appealing: explorers and adventurers, artists and composers, scientists and inventors, sports figures, presidents, and ethnic heroes.