Children's sections in libraries and bookstores can be overwhelming, especially when your child is just beginning to read. How do you decide which books are best for your new reader? Here are six suggestions from reading experts, teachers, and experienced parents:
Find rhyming and word pattern books. Beginning readers will enjoy the same books you've been reading to them for the past five years: books with short, rhyming sentences and predictable structure with word patterns that are easy to memorize, such as "One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish." Some suggestions: nursery rhymes, counting books, alphabet books, and poetry books. Books by authors such as Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle, and the poet Shel Silverstein are good choices.
Look for winners. Ask your librarian for a list of annual Caldecott and Newbery award winners. Caldecott awards are issued for illustrated picture books, Newbery for writing.
Share your childhood favorites. Winnie-the-Pooh, Make Way for Ducklings, and Go, Dog, Go!: Yes, they're still around! Browse through the library or bookstore and look for the books you loved when you were starting to read. Find out if your parents still have your first books packed away. The classics never go out of style.
Pick books with vibrant illustrations. Early readers need pictures that match the text and help tell the story. Look for books that include pictures directly related to the words — for example, a picture of a yellow sun on a page that says, "yellow sun."
Find books that match your child's interests. Don't worry too much about the level of difficulty or whether they qualify as classics. If your child loves spaceships, buy spaceship books. If your child loves Arthur or the animated character of the week, buy the book. The idea is to develop a love of reading, not a love of reading a certain kind of book. Take your child along with you to the library or bookstore and don't restrict your child to one age group or subject. With reading, anything (within reason!) goes.
Ask the school for a reading list. Most school districts approve a list of books for early elementary classrooms. You might also be able to meet with a reading specialist at the school to discuss which books your child would enjoy.
source from http://parentcenter.babycenter.com
No comments:
Post a Comment