Winter in Ohio can make it hard to get out and enjoy time outside of the house. Fortunately we expect good weather this weekend making Saturday a great day for Doggie Day at the Library. But it is good for more than just getting the kids out of the house. Parents who read with their kids improve their children’s literacy, language development, and instill in them a love of reading.
That’s what Take Your Child to the Library Day is all about. It is to encourage parents to start bringing their kids to the library on a lazy Saturday and finding some cool books to read with them. Not every parent can afford to run out and buy the latest new book.
The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) has been encouraging pediatricians to discuss the benefits of reading to babies and children, particularly for high risk families. Many are going the extra step and providing books for children and parents living below the poverty line when they come in for their doctor’s appointment.
But, all you have to do is get a library card for you and your kids and you have free access to new and old books whenever you want. You may even surprise yourself at how much you actually enjoy reading with your kids.
Benefits of Reading with Your Children
First of all, reading with your kids can be a lot of fun. Holding them on your lap and watching their faces as they listen to your voice and sit close to you can make your kids feel safe and loved. Here are just a few of the other benefits of reading with your kids:
Learning How to Talk
Even if your child is too young to read, when you read to them, they are piecing together sounds with words. The more you expose your kids to language the better their language skills will be as they grow.
The foundation you build prior to your child starting school will determine their academic success. Hearing words and sounds and knowing what they mean are two different things. Kids with higher language comprehension by the time they enter kindergarten are more likely to excel in school.
Picture Books and Rhyming Books are Best
For young children, rhyming books help them to connect sounds with words and remember them. Picture books with vibrant colors keep them engaged while you read.
Creates Better Test Takers
The University of London conducted a study that found that students who read regularly are better at taking standardized tests than students who do not read on a regular basis. Reading habits developed before your kids are 5 years old will create better test takers when they are teenagers.
How to Get the Most out of Story Time
To get the most out of story time you have to make it fun for the kids. That can be just making funny voices when you read for characters in a book or creating makeshift costumes while you read. At Doggie Day at the Library we will be using hand puppets to act out the books. Here are other ways to maximize story time:
Pick Stories with Repetition
Especially when you are reading to very small children, books with repetition like “Goodnight Moon” will help them to start building a vocabulary early.
Choose Books that Will Engage
Books with lots of colors or cool drawings are the best for getting your child engaged. Think about books like “Where’s Waldo” where the book is kind of like a game for them.
Keep it Up
Finally, you don’t want this to be a one-time thing. Make story time a regular part of your day or week until it becomes a habit for you and your children.
Make Doggie Day at the Library the Beginning of Something Special
This Saturday is a great opportunity for you to start building the foundation for your child’s future. You will get out of the house after the last month of frigid cold, you’ll be able to meet and interact with other parents, and your child may make a few new friends. Most importantly, you will have started your child on the path of academic excellence and a love of reading.
Making your local library a familiar place for your child is a good start. Come celebrate the 5th Take Your Child to the Library Day at the Portsmouth Public Library this Saturday, Feb. 6, at 1pm. Can’t wait to see you there!