Public Servant Lifestyle

Bookworms are encouraging more of us to enjoy reading together - and to get more parents to read to their children.

Sharing Books With Children

“It's impossible to exaggerate how important reading can be for children,” says the Forward Literature Trust – the people behind Bedtime reading Week. “It fires their imagination, develops creativity, and helps to improve concentration levels. In fact, it's just as likely to help your children's maths results, as it is to improve their literacy skills.

"Let your children choose the books they want you to read with them — it's a surefire way to make them feel involved."

Making The Time

"How often have you watched something on TV, and lost interest after ten minutes? Well, that's about as long as it takes to read a short story. So, instead of sitting there, and feeling bored, why not read a bedtime story to your children? They'll enjoy it — and so will you.”

Everyone Can Do It

“Reading a story to a child isn't something you can do 'wrong', so don't worry if you think you may not be good enough. If you think you're not doing very well — or you find it difficult — ask the child questions about something that's happening in the story. Or, ask them to find something in one of the pictures.”

Practice Makes Perfect

“You'll soon discover that children love listening to the sound of your voice — and once you've read a couple of short stories, you'll realise how much easier it becomes. If you're really worried, try reading a story through a few times, to yourself — or to a friend — before reading it to a child.”

Go For It!

“Like most things, reading aloud is all about confidence. The more funny voices and expressions you use, the more your child — and you — will enjoy it. If it helps, think of reading as being a bit like karaoke, and let it all hang out!”

Twelve Top Tips

1. Make a goodnight story something to look forward to — and make sure it's fun!

2. Make sure there aren't any distractions, while you're reading — switch off the TV.

3. Let toddlers hold the book, and explore it for a while — they'll like the look and feel of it.

4. Encourage young children to hold the book, and turn the pages, as you read the story.

5. Ask questions about the pictures — or the characters in the story — to encourage concentration. For example, 'Can you see the cow?'

6. Always try to answer any questions a child asks about a story.

7. Praise the child, when they do something well. For example, 'Well done! You spotted the cow.'

8. Point to the pictures, and talk about them — 'Look, here's a little black cat. I think it's just woken up.'

9. Point to key words, as you say them.

10. Be prepared to read the same story again and again — children love repetition, and it develops confidence, and the basis of reading skills.

11. When possible, try to relate a story to a child's own experience — 'Look! That dog looks like the one next door.'

12. Let a child say words out loud, and leave space in the story, for them to fill in.

More information available in Books