“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” – Margaret Fuller.

Did you know that every time you share a story, sing a song, or read to your kids, contributes heavily to their overall skill development?

Haven’t started reading to them yet? Don’t worry, it’s never too late nor too early to start a good thing. Reading to your kid is an amazing way to spend quality time with them. It also encourages their habit of learning through books regularly. This blog has everything you need to start reading to your kids.

Why reading is important to young kids?

1. Storytelling and reading spark the imagination of your kids in their early stages. It promotes brain development, social, emotional, communication, and literacy skills.

2. Reading together strengthens the bond between parents and children.

3. Helps the child to understand the world and stimulates curiosity.

4. With reading and repetition, kid gains a lot of knowledge which helps in promoting leadership skills and confidence within them.

There are many more advantages, but let’s discuss how & when to start reading to them?

Reading: according to their age group

Different age group children demand a different kind of methodologies for reading. There are different approaches to reading your kid according to their age classification.

From birth to 1 year old:

In 2018, 77 percent of parents with children aged 0 to five years old said that they began reading aloud to that child when he or she was less than one year old. Meanwhile, 43 percent of parents stated that read-aloud time started when the child was less than three months old.

From: statista.com

Reading to a baby of this age group can hold different experiences for different parents. Some children love to see the images and scribble, some would just love to hear the words you’re telling them. Don’t worry about completing the whole story by turning pages in the right direction. Just let them play with it. read to them till they allow!

Is there any fixed time to read to them?

As they are very young to get a schedule for reading or writing, you can read to them while bathing, eating, in the car, on the bus, on the pram, anywhere. At this age, kids start learning new words. So, always repeat the new words for them. Just pay attention to their expressions while you’re telling them a story. If they enjoy it, carry on!

Some must-have books to read to them:

1. Baby Touch: First Focus Cot Book 
2. Baby touch bumpy
3. That’s not my reindeer (Touch and feel)
4. Things that go (Usborne cot book)

For 1-2 years old

For this age group kids, books are an essential part of their day-to-day activities. It will not just enhance their English skills but also, let them accept books and reading as part of their daily routine. Be it bedtime or moral stories, they will grasp something new for sure.

Some must-have books to read to them:

1. The very hungry caterpillar
2. No David by David Shannon
3. From head to toe by Eric Carle
4. What the ladybird heard by Julia Donaldson

For 2-4 years old

By this age, kids will demand to read the book on their own. Let them read as they are enjoying it. Start dramatizing the story so as to develop early language skills, vocabulary, and confidence among them. Don’t pressurize them to finish the whole lesson, if they are not interested anymore, this will make reading boring to them.

Some must-have books for this age:

1. Hop on pop.
2. Mr. Brown can Moo. Can you?
3. Green Eggs and Ham.
4. Goodnight Gorilla.

For 4-6 years old:

This age group is very crucial as they must have selected some of their favorite genres in their minds. Talk to them about their likings, this will enhance their concentration level and listening skills. And of course, let them read, but never force. Don’t be in a hurry to make them independent readers, be patient.

Some must-have books for this age group:

1. My teacher is a monster.
2. A fish out of water.
3. Kimmie aunty says series
4. Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus.

For 6 years & above

Start exploring E-books, Kids Novels, Chapter Books, or longer stories. Try to introduce the habit of bookmarking at this age.

Some must-have books for this age group:

1. The Auto that Flew
2. A Squash and a Squeeze
3. Amelia Bedelia Series.
4. Hole books series by Duckbill

We hope this article helped you to read to your kids. Comment us below and let us know how it helped you?

If you have any other queries, you may contact us.