Here’s why you ought to read books with your child
Through reading, your child has the possibility to hear multiple repetitions of familiar words, sentences and phrases, as well as learn new ones. When you read for your child, it is however also important to allow the child to make their own contributions, e.g. by naming things they see in pictures, commenting on or imitating the words you say. Remember to acknowledge the things your child says and feel free to repeat them so as to provide your child a correct model of the language.
Make sure to establish a good framework and routines for reading, making it a positive experience that your child associates with comfort and closeness.
TIP: If your child has a tendency to “take over” the book while you’re reading or lose interest quickly, they may be bored or need some other activity during reading time.
To increase your child’s reading participation, you can:
- Adapt the reading speed to your child (e.g. look at each page for 5 seconds instead of 10). You can train your child’s reading speed gradually, but turn to the next page before the child becomes dissatisfied.
- Adapt the book’s length to the child’s perseverance (e.g. you can stop after having read the first 5 pages). You can train the child’s perseverance, but stop reading before the child becomes dissatisfied.
- Add in some surprising exclamations
- Add in more action, e.g. include a character that can get involved in the story, or let a teddy bear join in
- Let the child help turn the pages
- Let the child touch (touch & feel books)
- Let the child point out things they recognise
Af Jeanette Hølledig Mikkelsen, Audiologopæd, LSLS Cert. AVT. © Ciha 2017.
