There is little else that catches the imagination and interest of a child quite like story time. There is something quite unique about a child’s fascination in listening to their parent read. Not even television captures their attention in the same way. Story time between parent and child has so many wonderful benefits and is a simple yet hugely effective tool in developing language skills.
One such benefit is the development of a child’s vocabulary. When listening to a story, a child is exposed to many words they have not heard before and it is a great opportunity for them to learn the meaning of these words. Children also learn the appropriate use of expression, tone and how to pronounce words correctly. Concepts such as rhyming words can be taught through books and provides a fun medium for learning to occur.
Reading to your child fosters a love for books and reading. What a wonderful gift to give your child – a passion for learning and a zest to explore our world through the written word. With very little cost, or none at all (should you make use of your public library) you can inspire your children to love reading. Equipping them with a love for reading will in turn equip them for the world they will face one day as an adult – a world where being literate is crucial in achieving success.
Story books have a variety of life lessons which encourages discussions between parent and child. A range of topics can be debated as well as opinions shared through the medium of storytelling. These opportunities for learning may not have presented themselves had it not been for story time. Children can learn about matters such as empathy, emotions or relationships. The life lessons to be learnt through story time are endless. It is also a great time for parents to choose a specific story related to what their child might be facing at that point in their life. For example, if a child is having difficulty with friends at school, reading a story relating to this topic may provoke a conversation with their parent, resulting in the parent better equipping their child to face this particular challenge at school.
Giving your child a few minutes of your full attention to sit and read also allows for them to share about how their day was or tell you about worries they may have. In the busy lives we lead, it may be the only chance in a day for a child to relish that one-on-one time with Mom or Dad.
Apart from the lessons to be learnt through story time, it is also quite simply a chance for the child to go into an imaginary world with their parent, forget about their worries for a few minutes and enjoy the magic of a good book. It is a time to have fun together, laugh and enjoy being a little silly. Story time is a special time that children will fondly remember sharing with their parents for many years to come.
By Kelly Lindsay, Grade 0 teacher at Crawford Pre-Primary North Coast.