Reading Corner

See Reading Tips by Age

Tip: Daily reading will provide your child with the ability to identify letters, build vocabulary and assist with memorization skills. Children often ask to read the same book over and over again. Though you might be ready for a new story, repetition is exciting and beneficial for your child. So even if you read a book that is slightly advanced for your child’s comprehension and skill level, with repeated readings your child will begin to learn new, more complex vocabulary and ideas.

Consult these additional resources for more information on the benefits of reading with your child and for ideas on great read-aloud books:

Read Aloud America: Promotes literacy to build families of lifetime readers. The Resources section includes reading tips, book lists, recommended books, and additional links to other informative websites.

Jim Trelease’s Trelease-on-Reading: Offers an abundance of information on the importance of reading with children. Jim Trelease is the author of The Read-Aloud Handbook: Sixth Edition.

Hedgehog Books: Collects book reviews from teachers so parents can pick great read-alouds for their children. Search for books by title, author, character, keywords, or grade level.

New York Public Library: Compiles lists of the best books for children, including the “100 Best Picture Books Everyone Should Know.”

The New York Times Parent’s Guide to the Best Books for Children: 3rd Edition Revised and Updated: Categorizes the top 1,001 children’s books of the 20th century. Books are grouped by title, author, illustrator, age appropriateness, read-aloud potential, and special interests. Plenty of insightful descriptions are included, along with illustrations and space for parents to make notes.

Newborn to 6 months

• Books with larger pictures and designs, along with bright colors, will hold attention for longer periods of time.
• Soft vinyl covered books and books made out of cloth work well if they get dirtied. They can go in the bath tub!

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6 months to 12 months

• Books with sturdy pages allow your child to prop the book up while playing on the floor, or in their crib.
• Choosing familiar pictures that your baby will recognize, such as a dog or a bottle, is beneficial.
• Books with bright colors, as mentioned earlier, may appeal to children more as opposed to black and white.

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12 months to 24 months

• Bedtime story books are a good way to end a busy day.
• Books with predictable rhymes and/or songs help with predictability and memorization habits.
• Familiar pictures, for example, pictures of children sleeping, eating or playing with animals help children associate people with actions.
• Choose books about counting, shapes, colors and sizes.

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2 years to 3 years

• Choose simple rhymes and songs that your child can memorize and repeat with you.
• Choose books with their favorite characters inside.
• Choose books about counting, shapes, colors and sizes.
• Bedtime story books are a good way to end a busy day.

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4 years

• Encourage your child to choose a favorite book to read aloud, with you as a guide.
• If your child asks questions during a story, this is a perfect time for them to explore new words and gain understanding about different concepts.
• Take time out from reading to ask open-ended questions like, "What do you think will happen next?" or "Why do you think they are doing that?"
• Read familiar signs with your child while you’re out and about. This includes street signs, restaurant signs, billboards, etc.
• Let your child see that reading is fun. Read aloud your to-do list or shopping list.
• Read your favorite childhood book with your preschooler. Enthusiasm is contagious and your child will be excited as well.
• Slide your finger across each word or sentence as you read them to your child.

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5 years

• Stay informed on your child’s progress at school by talking to their teacher.
• Listen to your child read schoolwork and books from school to track progress.
• When listening to your child read, be patient and offer lots of encouragement. Let your little reader know that you’re proud of him/her.
• Reading sections of the newspaper or a travel book before a trip offers a break from traditional books and may be fun for children.
• Keep home reading pleasurable.
• Using the library and used book sales are perfect ways to have books in your home at a lesser cost.

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Previously Featured Books

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