| kids adore listening to stories about princesses, | | | | the plot is not too intricate for their age, but not |
| fairies, dragons and other mythological characters | | | | too simple and straightforward either. Consider |
| from far-away lands. It also stimulates their | | | | the things your child finds most interesting and try |
| imagination, and helps them build linguistic and | | | | to choose a story that fits these interests. |
| analytical skills. If you learn some strategies for | | | | Before you start reading, you could improve your |
| reading aloud, you can easily engage them in the | | | | reading aloud skills just a little bit. Practice changing |
| adventure and make it a special family time. | | | | your voice along the way to fit the mood you |
| Reading stories aloud is a great way with to bond | | | | are trying to create. Also, think about what you |
| with your kids and build a close, warm relationship | | | | want your children to learn from the story, and |
| with them. | | | | prepare some questions for them. You can ask |
| Reading tales aloud to your kids while they are | | | | questions at the beginning, during or at the end of |
| young brings lots of benefits. First of all, it | | | | the story. Read the story once before reading it |
| develops their vocabulary and their verbal | | | | to them to check if there are any words that |
| communication skills. If you do it regularly, you will | | | | they might not understand. Adjust the language |
| soon find that they are able to find their words | | | | to their age. You may also decide to take out |
| more easily and communicate better. Secondly, | | | | some sections entirely if they are too long or too |
| exposing them to make-believe creatures and | | | | difficult to understand. |
| places nurtures their imagination and creative | | | | There are a few things you could do to make |
| thinking. Studies have proven that children who | | | | sure you are all having a good time. First, make |
| are read to every night are generally more | | | | sure everybody is comfortable, and the kids are |
| creative when compared to others. Furthermore, | | | | not sleepy or hungry. Look at the cover with |
| it develops their analytical abilities and | | | | your kids and ask them what they think the |
| problem-solving skills. If you make these moments | | | | story is about. Try to build the appropriate |
| as pleasant as possible, it is very probable that | | | | atmosphere. Allow them to ask questions and |
| they will acquire a passion for reading, which will | | | | make comments along the way - otherwise they |
| last after they can read by themselves. | | | | may not understand and end up getting bored. |
| Let's not forget about the treasures of bonding | | | | You can ask questions yourself to stress some |
| with your family and how wonderful it feels to | | | | parts that you think are meaningful. Also, little |
| spend some cozy and meaningful moments with | | | | ones love pictures - so you can show them some |
| your children. Many parents nowadays have | | | | pictures once in a while. It helps them picture the |
| plenty of other responsibilities apart from childcare | | | | characters of the story. You can also ask them |
| - including work, social obligations and so on. All of | | | | what they think is going to happen - it engages |
| these pressures determine them to spend less | | | | them in the story even more and motivates |
| time with their families, and often have to hire a | | | | them to think. |
| nanny to take care of their children while they are | | | | Once you have begun reading, you will see it is |
| at work. If you can only spend a few hours a | | | | much less complicated than it sounds. Most of |
| day with your family, it is only obvious that you | | | | these reading aloud strategies are pretty intuitive. |
| try to make the best of it. | | | | You will often engage in the action yourself, and |
| One of the most significant things is to choose | | | | creating that special mood will be much easier. |
| the right tales. This depends on your kid's age, | | | | And the rewards that reading stories aloud brings |
| interests, and what you are trying to convey. If | | | | to your children and your relationship with them |
| you want to teach them something, you may | | | | are certainly worth the effort. |
| pick a story that illustrates that idea. Make sure | | | | |