Key points:
1. Reading with your preschooler promotes language development and bonding.
2. Choose a suitable time for reading, like bedtime, to unwind and relax your child.
3. Create a comfortable reading space and have a selection of your child’s favorite books.
4. Select books that match your child’s interests, maturity, and reading level to make reading enjoyable and educational.
The first years of life of a child are a time of growth and exponential learning. This is especially true for a preschooler’s language development. Taking a couple of minutes a day to read with your child will be a great way to boost their linguistic development. Plus, it’s a great bonding activity!
Looking to incorporate reading time to your child’s daily routine? Consider the following:
Find a time that works best for both of you: Whether it’s when waking up or going to bed, choose a time in which you can both cuddle together and enjoy a good book. Bedtime is often a great idea because it’ll unwind your toddler from a busy day of activities and relax them, prepping them for bed. This can also be useful for nap time. You can even select special books for nap or bedtime; that’ll help cue your little one that it’s time to go to sleep.
Get comfortable: Find a quiet, cozy place where you and your little one may cuddle and read together. Reading provides special one-on-one quality time that strengthens the bond between you and your child. You can even have a reading corner somewhere in the house and have all your child’s favorite books around.
Choose the right books: When looking to expand your child’s library, keep their interests, maturity, and reading level in mind. Look for picture books with colorful, big images that you can comment about while reading. Does your little one have a favorite character? Get a book about it! Find stories with basic plots about subjects that your child is curious about or that somehow relate to their experiences.
Have books all around: A great way to get your little one in the habit of picking up a book is to have them around! Activity books, such as hunt-and-find books or sticker books are a fun idea to incorporate during playtime since they provide endless entertainment for preschoolers. You can also find stories that review basic concepts like colors, shapes, letters, and numbers.
