"Celebrate stories. Love Reading." is the strapline for World Book Day 2019.
Our role as parents and educators is to create suitable conditions for our children to want to celebrate stories and love reading. Dan Freedman, at a Booktrust event in Belfast this week, pointed out that not all children will want to read fantasty and fiction. Some will be drawn towards non-fiction books such as magazines or books about sport, machines, fashion, etc. And that's perfectly OK. Just as some adults don't like to read certain books or materials, children are exactly the same. They will all have their own preference. It is important that we, as adults, tune into what the children in our care are interested in, and then support them by sourcing reading materials of interest to them.
Sharing books is not just about supporting language development; it's a great way for families to bond and share special moments together. Can you imagine how a young child feels when an adult who is important to them takes time, sits closely and reads a story to them? I believe the child experiences a feeling of inner warmth and a high sense of well being; and as a result becomes more relaxed and more able to absorb new vocabulary and new information. It is important that fathers and male carers are also involved in reading and telling stories.