| Reading children's books to your kids is not just | | | | 2. Find time to read to your kids. |
| because you want to put them to sleep. Nor is it | | | | When your children were just toddlers, they loved |
| because you want to distract them from other | | | | hearing you read them stories from children's books. |
| things. | | | | Your children anticipated the times that you read to |
| Children's books are created because they serve a | | | | them. But when they get older, you stopped reading |
| special purpose. And that is to expose your child | | | | to them because maybe you think that they are old |
| early on to what life is all about. | | | | enough to do that for themselves. |
| In their young age, they will not be able to get the | | | | This should not be the case. Children are not too old |
| essence behind fairy tales or adventures yet. But as | | | | to have their parents read to them. It is during these |
| they grow older, they will see the values behind each | | | | times that you are sharing a mutual bond with them. |
| tale that children's books present. Once they see | | | | That is your constant tie with them. |
| what those books are all about, they will be a little bit | | | | Children know that you are busy most of the time |
| wiser about their perception of life and what they | | | | and they let you be to do the things that you need |
| should do about it. | | | | to do. Reading to them is one of the only times that |
| Exposing your kids to reading children's books does | | | | they have your full attention and your closeness. Do |
| not mean that they should make it the center of | | | | not break that connection by stopping your habit of |
| their life. Most parents are not aware of the thin line | | | | reading children's books to them. |
| that separates a bookworm and book addict. A book | | | | 3. Let your children do the reading. |
| worm is one that loves reading books. While a book | | | | This is the opposite of what was just mentioned. In |
| addict is one who does nothing but read books. | | | | this case, you are the one that is listening. And your |
| You as parents have a role to play to ensure that | | | | children are the readers. Make them feel all grown up |
| your child do not end up like the latter. Below are | | | | by letting them read the children's books. Listen to |
| some tips on how kids should go about reading | | | | them enliven the scenes from each story. |
| children's books. | | | | Listening to them is showing that you have the time |
| 1. There should be a reading balance. | | | | to share these special moments with them. It can |
| There is nothing wrong if you see that your children | | | | help in getting your closer to them now and keeping |
| love to read children's books. But it is a different case | | | | you close as they grow older. |
| if you notice that your child is not even interacting | | | | Children's books are not there just because it is what |
| with others anymore or is not interested in other | | | | everyone has or it is the latest out in the market. |
| things. | | | | Children's book are really about bonding and |
| You should set a limit for them such as when to read | | | | closeness. |
| and when to stop. Granted that the stories in | | | | Take advantage of the opportunity that reading |
| children's books make it hard to let go, but your child | | | | childrens books offers for developing and maintaining |
| also needs other forms of activities and other things | | | | a close bond to your children |
| to do. | | | | Learn more at Help Raising Children. |