Read Everyday
Everyday Read
Sharing stories is a great way to bond as a family and foster a love of reading for pleasure in kids. Reading and storytelling with bub's and young ones not only boosts brain development and fires up the imagination but also helps them with language skills, emotions, and strengthens family ties.
Kids enjoy books with rhymes and repetition, and there's a lot to choose from. Add some fun by pulling silly faces or using different voices to jazz up the stories. Get the whole family involved – pass the book around, and let everyone have a go at reading.
Even babies can get in on the reading action by pointing at the pictures, yakking about the story, or diving into tactile books that engage their senses. And don’t let the story end when the book closes – keep talking about it during the week. Spot something from the story? Give it a nudge and say, "Hey, that cow looks just like the one in Cuddly Cow. She's a black and white cow too!"
Dive into the world of books and stories in a gazillion ways:
- Mix it up with diverse stories or pick a book from a different genre or topic.
- Give ebooks or audiobooks a go – perfect for the car or while you're hanging around for the bus!
- Try the Story Box Library online and listen to an Aussie book being read..
- Dive into a book in a different lingo. Your local library might have a few or ask them to find one in your chosen language.
- Tackle a wordless book and whip up your own story from the pictures.
- Get your children to put together their own book by drawing the pics and spinning their own tale.
- Give yourself a challenge with a book that pushes your boundaries. How about one about a different culture or baby yoga, or anything else you've been meaning to give a go.
Whether it's bedtime, bath time, out in the garden, or just chilling on the floor or in the pram, it’s always a good time to dive into a book with your little ones. Set aside a special time each day for reading or bring books along wherever you roam. No worries, mate – reading and sharing stories is great fun for everyone!
This article has been written to help increase the knowledge and understanding of the Bundaberg community and is part of Bundaberg Regional Libraries First 5 Forever. Learn more about Baby and toddler Storytime at Bundaberg Library here.
First 5 Forever is an initiative of the Queensland Government, coordinated by State Library of Queensland and delivered in partnership with local government.
