Every parent wants their child to be happy, smart, and active. We want them to learn and be intelligent and successful. How can we foster a love of books in our children from an early age? Here are just a few tips for raising book-loving children that I've learned from raising my daughter and my memory of my own childhood.
Let your child see you reading. If your baby sees you reading, then they will learn from a very young age that books are interesting. My daughter will often pick up a book that my husband or I has been reading and look at it, very seriously turning the pages, for several minutes. She knows that if mummy and daddy pay attention to books, they must be worthwhile.
Read to your child. Some people begin reading to their babies while they are still pregnant (yes, they can hear and recognize your voice before they're born). I started reading to my daughter when she was only a day or two old, and still read to her. At first, she wasn't interested in the books themselves, but she liked hearing my voice and having calming time with me. Now she feels more grown-up and loves books where she can lift up flaps or turn the pages herself.
Pick age appropriate books. Your child will like different books at different ages. For babies, try either material books, or ones that play music. Babies and toddlers love picture books that are shiny and colourful. Some even have textured bits to feel. As they get older, they are ready for more of a story-line.
Take trips to the library and/or bookstore together. I am lucky because my local library has a great children's section with child-sized tables and chairs, colouring supplies, toys, buckets of books that toddlers can reach into, and other great features. Every library, though, will have a children's section. Bring your child and let them explore. They will be more interested in books that they pick out. Many libraries have regular activities, such as story-times, for children.
