Parenting Page| COMPLIMENTS OF WATAUGA COUNTY CHILDREN’S COUNCIL
In 2001, Dr. Susan Neuman, Assistant U.S Secretary of Education, stated, “Although many experiences are said to contribute to early literacy, no other single activity is regarded as important as the shared book experience between caregivers and children.” A Publication of the Environments Professional Group (“Reading to Infants & Toddlers”) notes that numerous studies have shown that two important factors in a child’s school success are sharing books with adults and being read to from a very young age. Choosing books that are appropriate in format and sharing them in age-appropriate ways create a positive experience and foster a love of reading. Here are a few suggestions to help make reading a fun family experience … Happy Reading! For more information, please contact Tracey Tardiff The Children’s Council 225 Birch Street ~ Suite #3~ Boone, NC 28607 www.thechildrenscouncil.org 828-262-5424
The Children’s Council builds on the strengths of children, families, and educators by investing in resources, information, and training toward promoting the future health and success of our greatest asset ~ Our Children.
When sharing books with your child ~ get close and snuggle up ~ make plenty of eye contact ~ ask questions about the pictures, ideas, and events in the story using a clear and consistent style ~ bring your own sense of fun and drama to play ~ gesture, make faces, or move your body in ways that help to tell the story ~ have your child tell you what is happening in the story ~ share your own feelings and ideas ~ accept children’s fears, ideas, and feelings as real, not exaggerated ~ ask more questions after reading together ~ it is the interaction that really counts ~ 12 AUGUST 2009
Suggested Children’s Books
A to Z by Sandra Boynton ~ Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carle ~ Dim Sim for Everyone by Grace Lin ~ Duck in a Truck by Jez Alborough ~ Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert ~ Elizabeth’s Doll by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen ~ Global Babies by Global Fund for Children ~ Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown ~ I Went Walking by Sue Williams ~ Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Gaurino ~ Koala Lou by Mem Fox ~ Little Blue, Little Yellow by Leo Lionni ~ Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara Josse ~ Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh ~ Piggies by Audrey Wood
Books and Book Play: 10 to 13 months “Although your baby will still explore a book physically, the contents will begin to dominate her interest. She is beginning to recognize and relate to objects, people, and events in her world.”
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