If someone were to compile a list of necessary skills for parents to acquire, would there be enough tree pulp in Canada to meet the paper demand? Many parents would doubt it! However, if we were to begin listing the most prominent skills needed, "teacher" would head the list. While this might seem obvious, many parents overlook the most important teaching tool they have - storytime.
The Canadian Paediatric Society (www.cps.ca) tells us that exposing children to books at an early age "can greatly decrease that child's chance of developing a low self-esteem, engaging in delinquency or substance abuse, and of becoming economically disadvantaged later in life." The ABC Canada Literacy Foundation (www.abc-canada.org) says at least 15 minutes of reading aloud each day will help your child be ready to read for school.
Still, acquiring the title "engaging storyteller" doesn't come naturally for everyone. Here are some fun ways to present storytime to your baby or toddler.
JUMP START
Reading to your child when he is in the womb has not been proven to produce the next Einstein, but Invest in Kids (www.investinkids.ca), a foundation dedicated to researching how to make the most of your child's first five years, still encourages reading to your unborn child. Liane Comeau, manager of research and programs says, "You are exposing your child to your voice. As a result, [your newborn] will be capable of recognizing it from the moment she is born and this will contribute to her bonding with you."
HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
Give infants books made of materials such as soft cloth or plastic. Comeau says, "[your child] will enjoy feeling the different textures with his fingers … and his mouth!" Sure, the sight of wrinkled pages and chewed-up covers can make a parent wince. But a worn book is a well-loved book.
READ IT AND BEEP
"Make [the story] as expressive as possible. Engage! Engage! Engage!" stresses If You Give a Mouse a Cookie author, Laura Numeroff.
A good storyteller will beep, crash, chirp, or meow along with the story. Sing! Be silly. Give characters unique voices. Involve puppets that relate to the story. Give the performance of a lifetime. Face it - you will never have a more merciful audience!
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Nobody expects a six-month-old to analyze plot. However, asking questions about what's happening on the pages and helping little ones identify objects will build vocabulary before speech comes into play.
Expect a toddler to turn pages out of order or to get picky about which story is read. He might also request the same story until you're reciting it in your dreams! These are all good things. Comeau says, "By respecting his choices … you will foster his appreciation of books and help him develop a positive attitude towards reading."
GET PERSONAL
Share books that strike a chord and point out similarities to your child's life. Is the family cat as lazy as the one in the story? Does the butterfly in the story look like the one she saw at the park?
FOR EXAMPLE
Parents can set a good example by kicking back with a good novel, newspaper or magazine. Taking time to read what interests you shows your kids that reading is something to enjoy throughout life.
TIME AND PLACE
"Choose your timing carefully and take into account your child's mood and energy level," says Comeau. Your child should grow to associate reading with love and comfort, so never force a reading session. Eventually your little book worm might have her own preferences for time and place.
Phil Vischer, creator of VeggieTales reveals, "I think the best way to read books to your kids is the old-fashioned way - snuggled up in a rocking chair before bed time!"
Reading aloud is an amazing gift. The benefits are immediate as well as invested in the future. A love of learning begins at home.
Feeling clueless at the bookstore or library?
Try these engaging tales and authors:
The Best Mouse Cookie by Laura Numeroff
(Harpercollins Juvenile Books)
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
(Candlewick Press)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
(Philomel Books)
Veggie Tales: God Loves You Very Much by Cindy Kenney
(Zonderkidz)
