Library 

Lucie Hill

Library Technician

In this newsletter I have included some tips for sharing books with your children. Reading regularly with children from a young age stimulates patterns of brain development and strengthens parent-child relationships. This, in turn, builds language, literacy, and social-emotional skills.

Tips for sharing books with children

• Make a routine and try to share at least one book every day. A special space where you and your child go to read, with a box of books and something comfortable to sit on, can help with establishing your routine.

• Turn off the TV or radio, put your phone on silent and find a quiet place to read so your child can hear your voice.

• Hold your child close or on your knee while you read, so your child can see your face and the book.

• Use gestures, facial expressions, funny voices, noises and so on. This can get your child interested and help them learn the meaning of words. It’s also fun!

• Encourage your child to talk about the pictures and repeat familiar words and phrases.

• Make connections between your child’s life and the book. For example, ‘That little boy is playing in the sand. You did this too, didn’t you?’

• Let your child choose the books when they’re old enough to start asking and be prepared to read favourite books over and over again!

If you have older children, they can share books with your younger children, or you can all read together. Taking turns, asking questions and listening to the answers are all important skills that will help children when they start learning how to read.

Happy reading!