In our busy modern lives, it can be hard to find time for everything but one thing that PACS believes is worth prioritising is reading with your children. Reading and storytelling with your children will promote their brain development and imagination. It also helps to develop language and emotions, and strengthens your relationships with your child.
Taking the time on a day to day basis to share stories, talk and sing together can help your child’s development in many ways. It will help your child get to know sounds, words and language, and develop early literacy skills as well as develop your child’s brain, ability to focus, concentration, social skills and communication skills. On top of this your child will learn to value books and stories thus sparking your child’s imagination and stimulating curiosity. Books can also be a great way to help your child understand new or frightening events, for example a book on potty training might help them understand, in an appropriate way, what is happening.
Sharing stories with your child doesn’t always have to be your reading from a book. Just by looking at books with your child and talking about them, can help your child’s development. They will learn by watching you hold a book the right way and seeing how you move through the book by gently turning the pages.
Reading stories with your children can also have benefits for you too! This special time reading together will help with your bonding and your relationship with your child.
The Parent and Child Society has a weekly session based all around stories and book reading. Sensory Stories are a great way to include all the senses into storytelling which can be enjoyed by parents and children alike. Stories create magic and a sense of wonder. By adding sensory to a story it can expand a child’s understanding, encourage participation and displays a sensation of reality. This session runs on Thursdays at The Methodist Church from 1-2pm for ages 18 months and above! The session will start at 1pm promptly, however The Living Room Cafe (attached to the church) is open for a tea or lunch before we begin. We look forward to you coming along to this session and enjoying the stories!
TIPS
for sharing books with babies and young children.
Make a routine and try to share at least one book every day. Maybe just before nap time or bedtime or maybe snuggling in the afternoon.
Turn off all devices and find a quiet place to read so your child can hear your voice.
Sit close together.
Have fun – make silly noises and sounds!
Talk through the pictures and encourage your child to engage with the book, for example point our colours or numbers!
