Psychologists unanimously say: the best toys in the world are live communication between parents and a child and reading good books aloud. But development is a gradual process that takes time. When is it time to read books to a child, where to start and how to interact more effectively in the process?
Reading is one of the important elements of a child’s development. First of all, it concerns speech. It is believed that if the baby starts reading earlier, he will speak earlier. This is one of the reasons why early development has become so popular.
Sometimes parents think that the more information the child receives from the cradle, the smarter he will become in the future. However, in reality, children are not always ready to sit and listen to fairy tales for a long time, or even more so a textbook, even for toddlers. They want to be on the move all the time. That is why many parents are wondering: when is the best time to start reading to a child and capture his attention?
Start with illustrations
Show your baby pictures from a very young age, and it’s worth starting with black and white, with the image of clear figures and bold lines. This will help him stimulate his vision and train the part of the brain responsible for visual images.
Lullabies
Sing lullabies — this is the most important thing for newborns and growing toddlers. There is nothing better for a baby than mother’s singing. Lullabies provide an opportunity to strengthen the emotional connection of the child with the parent, enrich the child’s speech and horizons, linking him with his native culture from infancy. In the simple words of these songs, information about the structure of the world is encrypted.
Short poems and nursery rhymes
When the child learns to sit, put him on your lap and leaf through the first books together. Thus, the baby will train his fingers and fine motor skills. In this position, he will already be able to look at pictures in books and at the same time he will be glad to listen to simple rhymes and nursery rhymes. With his cheerful and sonorous laugh, the child will let you know if he likes this process.
First tales
Starting from 1,5-2 years old, you can already tell or read short stories so that the child can concentrate on the “most important”, and not just fall asleep under a rolling bun. And again, illustrations play a huge role — from the picture you can explain, tell, dream up together, learn, for example, colors, numbers, talk about the mood of the hero, and “try it on yourself”.
Be sure to say the material you have learned or read several times. For children, of course, it is important that this flow of information be in a playful way, this is the only way to keep the child’s attention 100%. Toddlers differ from older children in that they get tired much faster and lose the thread of the main thought. That is why stories at their age should be as concise as possible, and stories should be uncomplicated.
«Big» books
At about 3 years old, the child is already ready for his first «big» books. Moreover, they must first of all carry an entertaining function — without having interested the baby, it is difficult to teach him something. Don’t be afraid to read the same story several times in a row if he likes it and asks you to. The child feels good and calm “in the company” of an already beloved story. In addition, this way you will better understand and consolidate the material you read.
Involve the baby in the analysis of the text, discuss illustrations, dream, fantasize with the child. This is not only fun, but also useful, because by reading children’s literature, adults begin to better understand children, their problems and interests. Parents get the opportunity to learn the strengths of their child, helping him develop in the right direction.
After all, this is the meaning of raising a child — to help him find himself in this world.