Fostering a love of books by Tia Wooller

Reading to your child is the very best way to help with their education.

My own children have a huge passion for books and have all been great readers.

It started when my first born was only two months old. I took him on a long plane journey and was amazed to find that the couple seated beside me were reading to their three month old. That is where I began. I read constantly to my child. In the early days I kept the books just out of his reach, so beginning the understanding that a book is to be read and not chewed!

I highly recommend that parents and grandparents start from this early age. Don’t worry if the interest isn’t there initially, be dramatic and show the pictures. Animals are always a success. Use animal noises to get the child’s attention.

Babies love the sound of their parent’s voice.

Over the years that I have parented my own three children and educated many others. I have been amazed at the very obvious benefits to the child from an early and constant immersion in books and the joy of reading.

The development of language is so very important. The more television and videos that children watch and the busier that parents become the less language is absorbed by the child, and as a consequence they don’t develop the skills for speech and will find conversation difficult.

The development of language begins with auditive, then visual, then motor stages.

Throughout language development children need to hear lots of precise language spoken around them. You can ensure this happens by reading at least once every day to your child.

Reading is a direct key to language development.

When you read, speak slowly, clearly and distinctly and repeat words often. Using many words enriches the child’s vocabulary. Children are especially sensitive to absorbing language when they are young.

The very best books are those that relate experiences to the child’s life, getting up, going to bed, mother, father and animals. Stories should introduce the emotional elements of life, sad, happy etc.

The characters should have real experiences, going to the doctor, out for a walk, feeding animals etc.

Early books need to be short and descriptive, with different voices and conversations. Rhythm and repetition are interesting for children. Humour that appeals to the child is wonderful.

Board books work well for little fingers as they have easy to turn pages.

It is always worth introducing some basic skills at the same time. For example, show and tell your child how to turn the pages. Children from the age of two delight in being shown the special grown up way of turning each page carefully from the lower right hand corner.

I strongly discourage any misuse of books. If your child stands on, chews, pushes books across the floor or takes and leaves them outside they will never learn to respect books as an adult would, unless they are strongly discouraged from this mistreatment. It is easier to put the basic steps of book care in place from the beginning and your child’s care of books will be appreciated by their teachers!

Use reading time educationally and discuss the title, the author / illustrator, the spine and front and back covers. As the children grow older they are interested in speech marks / full stops / exclamation marks and anything else particular to a book. Show how books get taken off and returned to the book shelf.

New Zealand has a rich and varied culture of children’s authors; there are so many amazing books out there.

My favourites include: the Hairy Maclary series by Lynley Dodd. The Little Yellow Digger by Betty and Alan Gilderdale, books by Joy Crowley, Margaret Mahey, Gavin Bishop and with the amazing photography in Gillian and Darryl Torckler’s books: Kiwi Adventure snorkelling / trout fishing, What Am I? Marine/ bush.

Make a list of the books you like and encourage your friends and family to gift books. It is one of the greatest educational advantages you can give your child. It gives them not only the close intimate times with you, but an enriched vocabulary and a passion to read and thus to learn to read! Have fun.

Tia Wooller - Is an experienced and qualified preschool teacher, with a passion for early education. She has three school aged children.