Time is a precious gift we can offer our children. Expensive toys and special favors can never replace the simple, loving presence of a parent. Books provide us with an opportunity to share special moments with our children. When we've read an enjoyable book and become involved in the story, time seems to stand still. As we read, the child within us emerges to meet the child next to us, to share in a common delight. This is an exciting moment, a time when deep and affectionate relationships are nurtured.
Reading good books with children can strengthen the relationship between parents and their children. Most children love the feeling of warmth and security that comes from snuggling up to their mother or father while listening to a story. This physical contact, combined with the pleasurable sound of the parent's voice and the lure of a delightful plot, makes storytime special.
Good books can also answer children's questions. At some time in their lives, children will face such issues as death, separation from parents, anger, and loss of friendship. A story can respond to these concerns and give children a sense of hope and mastery over life's challenges.
Parents can also use books to introduce ideas and values they want their children to share. Perhaps we would like to affirm the values of kindness, acceptance of others and their feelings, or family togetherness. Instead of simply telling our children to value these ideas, we can read a story that captures their imagination and allows them to discover these values for themselves. By relating to the story characters, children can experience the feelings, struggle with the problems, and rejoice with the successes.
Parents should remember that children respond individually to a story. They will draw their own conclusions from what they hear or read.
Because of their unique needs and backgrounds, each child remembers something different from the same story. A good story will have some message for all who listen.
The impact of a book is not limited to the time it is read. Reading a story can be one part of an overall strategy for introducing a value or idea to our children. We could introduce simple activities that encourage children to consider what is special within themselves and others. Used in this fashion, books become an important part of family life.
Reading books to young children can also have an effect on their beginning reading skills. When they hear a story, children begin to associate what is spoken with what is written. They can discover that letters represent sounds that form words. They also begin to gain a longer attention span by remaining with the story from beginning to end. In addition, books introduce a rich vocabulary and manner of expression to supplement what children learn during everyday conversation. When children are read to regularly by an adult who enjoys the experience, they will discover the magic of printed work and gain a respect and affection for books.
In summary, books can answer children's questions, introduce ideas valued by parents, and promote language and reading skills while strengthening family relationships.
Trelease, J (1989). The New Read-Aloud Handbook, New York, NY: Peaguia Books.
Sutton, B. and Sutton S. (1974), How to Play with Your Children and When Not to.
Lloyd, J. and Maizolla, J. (1974), Learning Through Play.
Foat, C. L. and Smith, C. A. (1981), Once Upon a Mind. Manhattan: Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service.
Cindy Hoover
OSU Extension Agent
Family and Consumer Sciences
Perry County
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