Nurturing Children's Reading – Small Steps… A Lifelong Reward
THURSDAY 07 JAN, 2021One of the best ways to improve a child’s reading skills is by encouraging a love of books and sharing stories together. Creating routines and rituals around books will turn even the most reluctant readers into children with a love of stories. It requires some effort, but it’s also highly rewarding and is one way for parents and grandparents to create profound a connection with the little ones in their life. A few ways to do this are:
Go on special book outings together
Make a visit to the library or a bookshop a special outing that you share together. Include borrowing or buying a book, and time reading the chosen book afterwards.
Share the stories that you loved to read as a child
Authors like Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton and J.K. Rowling remain popular and are being discovered by another generation of readers. Share your childhood reading experiences, both on and off the page.
Read on the go
Every day, there are countless ways to help a child build their vocabulary. Encourage reading everywhere and anywhere. Ask them to read labels, street signs, directions and more.
Bring the books to life
Does your child love to read about animals? Take a trip to your local zoo, WILD LIFE or SEA LIFE attraction and see if you can spot any of the animals that appear in their picture books! Get started with some of our animal-filled books including Colouroos, The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals and Little Bilby's Aussie Easter Egg Hunt.
Talk about the books you read
It’s not enough to just read a book with a child – talk about that book too. These conversations help children absorb and articulate what they read.
Here are some of our favourite books to read with a child and then discuss afterwards.
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My Deadly Boots - Carl Merrison, Hakea Hustler, Samantha Campbell
An empowering, uplifting picture book about what it is that makes you who you are, from the award-winning authors of Black Cockatoo.
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Charlie's Whale - Libby Gleeson, Hannah Sommerville
Little readers will delight in Charlie's obsession with, and the illustrations of, these majestic giants of the sea from one of Australia's most loved and awarded writers for children.
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11 Words for Love - Randa Abdel-Fattah, Maxine Beneba Clarke
A moving and joyful book for children from all backgrounds about the many ways we love, from award-winning author Randa Abdel-Fattah and acclaimed illustrator Maxine Beneba Clarke.
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What to Say When You Don't Know What to Say - Davina Bell, Hilary Jean Tapper
From the award-winning author of All the Ways to Be Smart, comes a warm and whimsical guide to negotiating new experiences and big emotions with empathy, kindness and words from the heart.
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Under the Moonlight - Susannah Crispe
A gentle story about showing bravery in the face of your fears that is sure to be a bedtime favourite. Perfect for fans of The Very Cranky Bear and The Gruffalo's Child.
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Giraffes Can't Dance - Giles Andreae, Guy Parker-Rees
Gerald the giraffe longs to go to the great Jungle Dance, but how can he join in when he doesn't know how to tango or two-step? Everyone knows that giraffes can't dance ... or can they? This funny, touching and triumphant story about being yourself and finding your own tune has been a family favourite for 20 years.
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Rabbit and Bear: Rabbit's Bad Habits - Julian Gough, Jim Field
Gorgeously illustrated and with a classic feel, this is a brilliantly funny story of a rabbit and a bear who discover that things are always better when they're shared with a friend. Ideal for readers moving on from picture books.
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Squidge Dibley Destroys the School - Mick Elliott
Squidge Dibley is the new kid at Craglands South Primary… and the school might not survive him. This is the hilarious first book in a series about a very strange class, and a small, squidgy kid. But warning… this series is too gross for grown-ups!
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The Magic Faraway Tree: The Enchanted Wood - Enid Blyton
Joe, Beth and Frannie discover the Faraway Tree and fall into all sorts of adventures! Enid Blyton remains one of the world’s favourite children's authors, and there’s no better place to start her tales then the first magical story in the Faraway Tree series.
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Famous Five: Five On Treasure Island - Enid Blyton
Julian, Dick and Anne are spending the holidays with their tomboy cousin George and her dog, Timothy. One day, George takes them to explore nearby Kirrin Island, which leads them on a dangerous adventure. Meet the stars of Enid Blyton's most popular adventure series, The Famous Five.
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