Getting Children into Reading: Part One - Under Fives

"There is no substitute for books in the life of a child." — May Ellen Chase

Teaching children a love of reading is a beautiful gift to give them. It teaches them to imagine, to empathise, to explore their minds. Most importantly, books are something you can share with the little ones in your life and make it a special part of the day. Getting children into reading now is an investment for tomorrow – it’s something that you’ll be constantly reaping the rewards of.  

In this post I’ll look at getting the under 5’s into reading. Reading can be a really special time with the little ones under 5 whether they just look at the pictures as babies or they read to you as they grow in confidence. Here are some tips to make it magical:

• Make a mini reading corner by gathering together comfy cushions, beanbags and a good stack of story books. At this age, ones with pictures, flaps and textures are the favourites. Having a space specially designated for reading will make it become a habit.
• Get into the practice of reading a bedtime story. It’s a lovely way of winding down together after a bath or with a goodnight drink.
• Make it an interactive experience by asking your little one questions about what they are reading. This will keep their attention for longer. Ask what the character’s names are, what’s happening in the story etc. When they can’t read for themselves yet get them to point to particular pictures on the page.
• Extend the world of the books you explore together using make believe. Pretend you’re the characters in the story and act out your own adventures.
• Make up stories together to get little ones using words, sentences and actions. A good trick is to get the family to sit a circle and each person add a sentence to the story. They will love how each person puts in a new twist.
• Have theme days based upon their favourite books. Let’s say they love the Winnie the Pooh books – you could take a stroll in the forest, eat ‘hunny’ sandwiches for lunch and have a teddy bear’s picnic.
• Visit the local library and explore the membership offers for under 5’s. Make it a fun trip where they get to choose what they take home and get to check it out at the desk.
• Mix up who reads to them. Your family and friends will love the opportunity to bond with them in this way and it will expose children to difference voices. You can always tune into Cbeebies Bedtime Story because why wouldn’t you want Damian Lewis reading you to sleep?

Coming Soon: Getting Children into reading between 5 – 12

Which of these tips would you like to try? Let me know in the comments below!