Teach your child to read through story time
Since my child was born, weekly library visits became a cherished routine. We would bring home 50 board books, short stories, touch-and-feel books, and we own a beloved nursery rhymes book passed down through three siblings. Sing-alongs like "Pat-a-Cake" and finger plays like "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe," and "Incy Wincy Spider" enriched our bonding time, cultivating a love for reading that blossomed into lifelong readers.
From infancy, story time holds a special place in a child's development. It's not just about the stories themselves, but the magical world they open up and the foundational skills they cultivate. Let me take you on a journey through the enchanting realm of story time and how it nurtures the budding reader in every child.
Picture this: a toddler giggles with delight as they reach out to touch the colorful illustrations in their favorite board book. With each turn of the page, they absorb new words, sounds, and concepts, building their vocabulary and comprehension skills without even realizing it. Through the simple act of sharing stories, parents and caregivers lay the groundwork for literacy, planting seeds of curiosity and imagination that will flourish as the child grows.
As children transition from infancy to early childhood, story time becomes a cherished ritual, a time to cuddle up with a beloved book and escape into a world of adventure and wonder. The sound of their parent's voice becomes synonymous with comfort and love, creating positive associations with reading that will last a lifetime. With each story they hear, children expand their understanding of language, honing their listening skills and internalizing the structures of storytelling.
But story time is more than just listening; it's an interactive experience that engages all the senses and sparks the imagination. As children grow older, they eagerly join in the storytelling process, chiming in with familiar phrases and predicting what will happen next. They use their fingers to trace the words on the page, connecting the symbols with the sounds they represent and laying the foundation for phonemic awareness and phonics skills.
In the magical world of story time, children encounter characters from faraway lands, brave knights, cunning dragons, and talking animals. They learn about empathy, resilience, and the power of friendship, all while developing critical thinking skills and expanding their worldview. With each story they hear, children gain valuable insights into the human experience, preparing them to navigate the complexities of the world around them.
But perhaps the most enchanting aspect of story time is the bond it creates between parent and child. As they snuggle together with a book in hand, they share moments of joy, laughter, and quiet reflection. Through the magic of storytelling, parents pass down cherished family traditions and cultural heritage, fostering a sense of belonging and identity in their child.
So, parents, the next time you find yourself in the company of a young child, I urge you to share the gift of story time. Whether it's a classic fairy tale, a silly rhyming book, or a bedtime story whispered in the darkness, you have the power to ignite a love of reading that will last a lifetime. And who knows? Perhaps one day, that child will pick up a book and embark on an adventure of their own, inspired by the magic of story time.
Here are our favorite book lists for babies:
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
Where Is Baby's Belly Button? by Karen Katz
Toes, Ears, & Nose! A Lift-the-Flap Book by Karen Katz
Bathtime Peekaboo!: Touch-and-Feel and Lift-the-Flap by DK
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton
A to Z Board book by Sandra Boynton
The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
Dr. Seuss's ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book! by Dr. Seuss
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
