CityView Magazine

50 October 2022 1 GOOD READS Reading with kids BY DIANE PARFITT 2 7 8 9 10 3 5 4 6 O ne of the best things that parents can do for their children is to teach them to love reading. is will give them a head start in school, help them build their vocabulary, and literally strengthen the brain by increasing neurons. Develop your children's love of reading as soon as they are born by reading to them. It is a beautiful way to bond and builds a warm and happy association with books. Set aside 15 to 20 minutes every day and continue reading to them through elementary school. At that age, they will start bringing home their own books to show you how much they can read. I will never forget the first time our son brought home a book from school and read the entire book to me. Older children will enjoy "quiet time" as you sit together and each read your own book. Selecting books can seem hard because there are so many wonderful books for all ages. Some classics that you may remember from your childhood are still very popular today, and librarians and teachers can recommend new ones. Remember that when you read a book to your children that you enjoyed when you were young, they will sense this and feel it, too. INFANTS Babies love "board books" that have bright colors and patterns with text that is simple, repetitive and rhyming. ey love touching books with interactive elements such as textured areas, flaps or foldouts. 1. "On the Night You Were Born'' by Nancy Tillman In this magically illustrated tale, your baby will hear about all the babies from the animal world and how their families celebrate their arrival, like the polar bears who dance the night away aer the birth of a new one. Your little ones will learn how very special their own arrival is. 2. "Everywhere Babies'' by Susan Meyers Babies love looking at other babies, and yours will love hearing your voice as you read this lovely book with rhyming text and darling illustrations TODDLERS As your children get older, reading to them will build their vocabulary and prepare them for school, where they will start learning their colors, ABCs and numbers. You also will be helping your children learn about the expanding world around them. 3. "Pat the Bunny'' by Dorothy Kunhardt Toddlers love to put their hands on books, especially when they feel the fur and sandpaper and see themselves in the mirror. 4. "Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site'' by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld Getting your child ready for bed is a lot easier with this collection of catchy rhymes and great illustrations of machines with personalities. 5. "Grumpy Bird'' by Jeremy Tankard We all feel grumpy sometimes. What better way to shake off the grumpies than to read this hilarious story about a grumpy bird who gets rid of his grumpies with a little help from his friends? PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN "Separation anxiety" may set in for both the child and parent when it is time for preschool. Reading stories about what to expect in preschool can prepare children for this new and exciting experience of meeting new friends and learning about different things. 6. "Preschool, Here I Come!'' by David J Steinberg, illustrated by John Joven is collection of funny, joyful poems and delightful illustrations will help your little ones look forward to their first day at school with a happy heart. 7. "The World Needs More Purple Schools'' by Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart, illustrated

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