Use Children's Books As Tools For Early Learning

Children begin the process of learning to read long before they enter formal schooling. Families, and parents in particular, play an important part in this process, and for many, children's books are important tools in teaching pre-schoolers to read. For decades, research has shown that children whose parents read to them become better readers and do better in school. But reading to children is not the only
activity that helps children become readers and to do better in school. Activities such as telling stories and singing songs may also encourage the acquisition of literacy skills.

Why is it that home activities such as reading to children, telling them stories, and singing with them help them learn? Research suggests that reading and
story telling stimulate the imagination, help to increase children’s vocabularies, introduce them to components of stories (such as character, plot, action, and
sequence), and provide them with information about the world around them. Singing songs probably also encourages a love of language and the rhythms of language. It also encourages phonological awareness (that is, awareness of the sounds and parts of language), which can be an important predictor of later
literacy learning.

Moreover, activities such as these are usually very child-centered, are conducted in a relaxed atmosphere, and allow for a warm, positive interaction between children and their parents. Research suggests that the quality of parent-child
interactions is important for children’s development of literacy  Sitting down with your child and opening a children's book--especially a personalized children's book--can be a fruitful and reward experience for both  the parent and the young pre-schooler.

The bottom line is finding ways to engage your children in activities that will stimulate their thinking and learning abilities. This means reading to your kids, telling them stories, singing to them, and teaching them letters, words, and numbers at least three or more times per week. Another good idea is to visit the local library  with your child, and expose them to children's books and children's literature at an early age.

Think of it as quality time spent with your child, and a chance to connect with them and teach them important learning skills at the same time.