It is no longer a surprise that reading (aloud) is good for a child's language development. But how do you choose the right book? How long do you read and what do you pay attention to? And how do you ensure that your child continues to listen attentively? Reading to your child is so said, but perhaps not immediately done so.
How long do I read?
Reading aloud is, in addition to good for language development, also a moment of rest and contact with your child. How long you read at a time depends on the age of your child. Look at what your child wants. It is not a problem at all if your son or daughter no longer pays attention to the story. Then feel free to stop reading and try again later.
Repeat regularly
Children like repetition and often choose the same book. That may seem a bit boring, but repeated reading has a positive effect on language development. You can deepen the story and children become familiar with new words.
Response and questions
Watch your child's reaction. What should he or she laugh at? Also address any comments and questions the child may have. Some children may be less likely to do this on their own. You can help them get started by asking open questions yourself, such as 'What do you think will happen next?'.
Age-appropriate reading
You can read to all children, but there is a big difference between reading to a baby and to a primary school child. You read from other books, use different intonation and you also pay attention to other things.