How to support your child to develop a love for reading (ages 1-2)
/It is important to mention that birth to 1 is a very important timeframe to begin reading with your child. Just simply choosing a book, sitting or laying down together and reading. Pointing to things in the book and naming them. Asking your child lots and lots of questions and just observing what they do. What they look at, what they perhaps point at, the noises that they make and their facial expressions.
Between ages 1-2 is a crucial time for continuing to build a love for reading within your child. So how can you support your child to develop a love for reading between the ages of 1 and 2?
Have a variety of books always available and in a place that is accessible to your child.
You don’t need fancy bookshelves or anything like that. We don’t have any of that. Just a dedicated space where you can place 5-6 books and give your child the opportunity to just explore. Touch them. Open them. Turn the pages. Touch the pages. I always give my son a while to just do this independently. He then often calls me over or brings me one of the books. This is ,y opportunity to read with him! If you don’t have a huge budget for books, no problem. Just sign up to your local library and choose the books you need. Rotate these every now and then or choose the same ones! There are some books that my son chooses more than others!
2. Choose some dedicated times just for reading together.
I have a full on work schedule and I look after my son most of the time so I plan these times into my calendar. They are very important to me. I choose a time in the morning, afternoon and evening. It doesn’t even have to be very long. Even if you only have 5 minutes - it all adds up. You read for 5 minutes every day… that’s 35 minutes each week! By choosing a time, it will also allow your child the opportunity to look forward to these times and know that it’s reading time!
3. Get rid of all other distractions.
Put your phone away, switch of the tv, get rid of any other screens, if you have other people in the room either go to another room or politely ask them to give your the space to do your thing. Your focus is exclusively on your child and on the reading. I can’t tell you how many times, I’ve been reading to my child and then been distracted by an email or a phone call. What message does this give my child? It gives the message that those things are more important than what we are doing and they most definitely are not. For 5 minutes, I can leave my emails and focus on reading with my boy!
4. Let your child choose the books they want to read.
My child is only 17 months and I know the books he loves. These are the ones we mostly read. I always let him choose.
5. Ask lots and lots of questions
There are different levels of questions and I already use all of them with my son. The level 1 questions, he is now beginning to understand. Eg. If I ask him… Where is the tree? Where is the man? etc.
If you would like a list of questions that you can use with your own child, please do email me and I’ll be happy to share these with you - office@creativemindstutors.com
6. Give your child plenty of time to answer.
It may take a longer time to process at this age. I find that when I give my son longer than usual to answer, he ofter will answer. In his own way of course. Perhaps a nod, perhaps by pointing, perhaps by laughing. Whatever it may be, I give him plenty of time.
If your child is between the ages of 15 months and 23 months, we currently have an incredible Reading Club. To join our December Club, simply click here.
