Help your child to gain interest and enjoyment from books

Storytelling plays a crucial role in developing creativity and imagination, as well as improving concentration and assisting in the development of literacy skills. Getting children interested in books at a very young age will certainly encourage children to read more often as they get older. Stories open up a rich world of imagination, exploration and adventure and are a precious part of growing up.

Here are some tips on how parents and carers can encourage a love of books that will hopefully last a lifetime:

- Let the picture tell the story – from about 18 months children will want to become more involved in stories. An ideal way to encourage their interest is to choose bright picture books where they can easily follow the story through the illustrations.

- Keep books in their bedrooms – ensure there are bookshelves in your child’s bedroom and confine televisions and computers to communal areas. This will make it easier to monitor how much time your children spend on the computer or watching the TV. You will also ensure that bedtime is associated with reading. Lead by example – when you share books with your children, you are not only interacting with them but also showing them that books are an enjoyable part of your world.

- Start young – most children love having stories told to them, and while it is incredibly valuable to spend time reading with your child, busy parents know that this is not always possible. Audio CDs allow children to listen to books while you are occupied with other activities and many children also like to listen to audio stories as they go to sleep.

- Have fun – whatever the age of your children, make sure they think of reading as an enjoyable activity rather than a chore. Use funny voices and facial expressions to bring the stories to life, and relate characters in the book to people your child knows.

- Develop a routine – set aside a regular part of the day for reading together. The best time is bedtime (or early afternoon if your child has an afternoon nap) as storytelling will help lull young ones to sleep and your presence as the storyteller will give your child a sense of security. Don’t forget that reading is also an excellent rainy day activity and can be connected with simple arts and crafts activities.

Thanks to Barefoot Publishers for providing these helpful tips for us. They have a wonderful selection of illustrated storybooks and CDs. There latest catalogue is available by calling 0800 328 2640 (freefone) or visit www.barefootbooks.com