Finding the best books for your precious child
With today’s abundant electronics and prevalent technology, the activity of reading books seems to have taken a backseat when it comes to children’s activities. Our children now are more adept at operating the Internet, playing games on their Playstations or watching movies on DVDs than they are at reading and understanding books. Add to this the profuse gadgets and gizmos that come out on the market regularly and we are likely to have a generation of illiterates. If you value your children and their education, it is highly advisable that you make reading a regular part of your child’s daily routine. Make sure you choose the right books and that you are there to share the experience with your little one.
Pique his interest. Choosing books for your child is not that difficult. The first thing that you should consider is the subject/s that you child is interested in. This is particularly important especially if this is your child’s first time in being exposed exposed to words on a page. Is your son fascinated with animals, robots or cowboys? Is your daughter captivated by fairies, princesses or magic? The more enticed your child is to the subject matter of the book, the more he or she will be engrossed in the reading process.
Ask around. Asking for recommendations is also a good way to come up with ideas regarding what books you ought to buy for your child. Do you have friends and relatives who habitually read to their children? Ask them what works and what they can recommend. You can also ask your local librarian or bookstore salesman. Doing research is a lot easier now that you can use the Internet. There are now plenty of websites that are dedicated to helping readers find the books they like. Books Buyer is one such website.
Go for the gold. There are award-giving bodies that also aim at promoting children’s reading by commending exceptional children’s books. Some of these awards are Newberry, Caldecott and the Coretta Scott King award. Look for titles that have these awards if you want the cream of the crop, as long as the book is aimed at your child’s age-group.
Get your child to participate. Unlike adults who usually prefer their reading time to be quiet and in solitude, children are more attracted to books that they can participate in. Examples of these books are those that require the child to answer a question or read along with certain parts. Young children also love repetition so don’t be afraid to read their favorite story time and time again until your child can recite it word for word! This gives them a great feeling of security.
The wonder of words. The children’s book you buy should encourage and help your child to learn new words. For instance, choose stories that have a vocabulary section. Children are very receptive to new words so this is the perfect opportunity to expand their vocabulary.
Picture-perfect. The illustration plays a crucial role in young children’s books. Make sure that the book you choose has captivating illustrations. And it’s a good idea to pick books with different styles of illustration—water colors, cartoons, and more.
Molding children through books. The ideas and values that your child experiences through reading will carry over as he or she grows up. So make sure you choose stories that do not have any undertones of racial discrimination, religious stereotypes or gender bias.
