Making Books Part of a Healthy Childhood

Reach Out and Read South Carolina is part of the nationwide Reach Out and Read organization.

Reading Tips

Below are some reading tips that Reach Out and Read providers can share with parents of their youngest patients. ROR encourages all parents to make reading with their children part of the daily routine.

Make reading part of every day. Read at bedtime or on the bus.
Have fun. Children who love books learn to read. Books can be part of special time with your child.
A few minutes is okay. Young children can only sit for a few minutes for a story, but as they grow, they will sit longer.
Talk about the pictures. You do not have to read the book to tell a story.
Let your child turn the pages. Babies need board books and help to turn pages, but your 3-year-old can do it alone.
Show your child the cover page. Explain what the story is about.
Show your child the words. Run your finger along the words as you read them.
Silly sounds are fun to make. Grab an animal book and practice making animal noises together.
Choose books that your child can relate to. Select books that relate to what is happening in your child's world - starting preschool, going to the dentist, getting a new pet, or moving to a new home.
Make the story come alive. Create voices for the story characters and use your body to tell the story.
Ask questions about the story. What do think will happen next? What is this?
Let your child ask questions about the story. Use the story as an opportunity to engage in conversation and to talk about familiar activities and objects.
Let your child tell the story. Children as young as 3 years old can memorize a story, and many children love an opportunity to express their creativity.
Take advantage of your local library. Sign your child up for a library card and expose her to thousands more (free!) children's books. Check to see if the library offers story hours or special events!

Photo Courtesy of Doug Bruns/Images for Change