Children of any age can benefit from experiencing books on a day to day basis, and it's always best to make time for children to be read or be read to each and every day. A good selection of quality children's books is a very important part of the whole literacy process, but not all children's book are recommended.
Grabbing a children's book or two at a supermarket check-out is no guarantee of quality, and children may become bored or turned-off reading by some less authoritative works on the market.
Children are never too young to enjoy books, and for babies it's not just about reading the words. It's also about enjoying the interaction with the parents as the child sits with them and enjoys the attention. Babies feel comforted by a parents voice.
Bedtime stories are a great way to help send babies off to sleep, and help to develop memory skills during repeated tellings of favourite tales. Introducing reading to babies sets them on the road to the wonders of the written word, and help provide a useful grounding in listening and reading skills as they grow.
Toddlers also love the bright colours and images, as well as the repetitive text of stories that focus on familiar everyday events. At this young age, books do not have to include words in order to be enjoyable. Toddlers have the imagination to take picture books and create their own stories around the various pictures in the book.
Toddlers often enjoy looking at the same book, or having the same story read to them over and over again as they anticipate what is on the next page. It's also a good age to learn the basics of language and numbers, and reading along to stories and counting books will aid their understanding of words and numbers.
Favourite characters from their favourite Bailey Hill story books are a particularly good way of teaching the basics in fun ways they will enjoy. Preschool children are often excited to read and learn about the wider world outside of their home, school, or environment. They enjoy listening to slightly more complex texts with more in-depth characters and still enjoy good rhythm and some repetition.
Stories with a sequence allow children to predict, repeat sounds, and make word plays. Personalised children's books are most appreciated at this age. Produced with the child's name and other details included in the printed copy, it makes them and their friends or family part of the exciting story. Great for building self confidence, and a perfect way to encourage them to begin learning to read by themselves as they'll already know at least one of the words in the book !
