Books, Pictures, Stories, and Your Child
When your child starts to show interest in books, the best thing that you, as a parent, can do is to encourage him. It is usually at the age of three that most children begin loving books. One very good way to build a strong bond with your child is through storytelling using books. It will get him acquainted with the joys of reading at an early age. Reading with your child does not mean that the two of you really go through real reading. You should not be bound by the words on the pages, you do not have to read the book to tell a story to your three year old. Use the pictures in the book as source of conversation, something that will lead your child to talk about his views and to learn more about the world.
It is normal for children to want to hear the same story many times; they even get to memorize their favorite stories after hearing them a few times. When your child has memorized a few stories, it is good to let him “read” the book. Your child surely will love the chance to “read” the story to you; he will be happy to show you how much he knows. When he sees that you appreciate his knowledge he will love learning even more. Children who are encouraged to learn early will never stop learning throughout life. A good technique in helping your child “read” his favorite story book to you is by asking him about the pictures in the book, by asking questions about the characters. At first, ask simple questions that start with “what” and “where”. Then when your child has built enough confidence in answering questions try asking some “why” questions. Don’t be surprised with his answers to your “why” questions. You’ll find out that at the age of three or four your child has so much knowledge already stored in his head that shape his views.
Reading with your child is one good way to learn more about him and about how you fare as a parent.
I totally agree! I read with my children everyday, and they see me read everyday when I am not reading to them. My nine year old daughter loves to read, and enjoys the fact that many of the books I have introduced to her are ones I have read. My three year old son loves books and enjoys a good naptime and bedtime story!
Comment made by Karlana on January 2, 2009 @ 2:56 am
I absolutely agree! I read every day to my Little Princess from the time she was born…now she’s in Kindergarten and her teacher says she’s reading at 3rd grade level…makes a mama proud!
I love to read, and loved to read as a child, so I’m really glad that my daughter is following in my footsteps for the love of books! 
Comment made by Stacy on January 2, 2009 @ 6:31 pm
i love doing this with my little boy c; he loves reading story books and even though he has seen it for a few times already c: he loves books really c:
Comment made by iceah on January 4, 2009 @ 8:40 pm
I love this post.. I totally agree, storytelling is one way to bond with your child at the same time, encourages to develop interest in reading.
Storytelling is one of my daily routine before tucking my almost 1 year old baby to bed. He loves looking at the pictures and it makes me more delighted to see his smiles and laughter while we are doing it.
Comment made by Umma on January 5, 2009 @ 2:44 am
i totally agree with you.experience-wise it is still the best if our kids live by example: they see us read regularly. at home we have D.E.A.R times as in - drop everything and read. it’s cool. my eleven year-old finished 340 plus pages of The Thief Lord just this week, now she wants to go to venice.
Comment made by hailey on January 5, 2009 @ 7:27 am
i definitely agree with you! reading is a great bonding moment with the kids. plus they grow up appreciating books
i love reading to my kids
and i know they enjoy it too!
Comment made by chris on January 5, 2009 @ 8:25 am
I always read to my children. I started reading to them when they were newborns and continue to read to them every night. My oldest who is in sixth grade is an avid reader and can read high-school level books. My children love their books. Great information! Thank you for sharing.
Comment made by Cascia @ Healthy Moms on January 6, 2009 @ 4:35 pm
I agree with your post, I let my daughter buy all the books she wants and I noticed that when she was still starting she like the colorful books then she likes reading it like everyday until she memorized it. By doing that she become a fast learner and reader, she does well in school and a very smart kid.
Comment made by joanjoyce on January 13, 2009 @ 8:12 pm
Though I am not yet a father I think this is true.My parents started me early with books that is why I was way ahead of my classmates when I entered school.
Comment made by Junald on January 13, 2009 @ 10:02 pm
My Baby Moon loves books and she likes the time when we read her story. It’s definitely good to start early reading for our kids. In fact, there is research that early reading will help the child’s development.
Comment made by Moon Loh on January 13, 2009 @ 11:25 pm
Great post..
I’ve been guilty of this, because I was not living with my kid at the age of 4 to 6. Even before that I was a working mom in an 8 to 5 job + usual overtime work.
This had affected my relationship with her, and when I got home I got too tired to help her with her homework or with just simply playing out with her - or even just reading books.
But I am still glad it turned out that she liked books. Just yesterday, she borrowed a book from the library and we both learned the different kinds of ships and boats. It was a good feeling learning new things with her. At least I’m catching up!
Comment made by Gem on January 14, 2009 @ 8:31 am
Agree!
I am book lover and this stems from the fact that I’ve seen my father reading many kinds of literatures when I was young. My mother made sure I enjoy the bedtime stories every night.
I want to do the same thing my parents did for me. It sure did help me a lot.
Comment made by pchi on January 14, 2009 @ 9:13 am
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This is a great tip! I’m a first-timer, with a 7 month old baby. When I go to bookstores, I do see those foamy baby books with just about 10 pages or less! And there are sometimes simple stories on that book. Every page of the book have a short sentence and a big graphic illustration about the story.
So, that means, “reading” the book with the baby or a toddler or a little child doesn’t mean literally reading the words.
I would try to “read” a book to my baby when he grows up a little more =)
Comment made by berryblitz on January 29, 2009 @ 6:47 am