The Nursery visits the school library
“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” — Walt Disney
The Nursery had a fun filled day at the school Library. Mrs M showed the little ones around the Library and explained what she does in the Library as the Librarian. She showed the big children’s books and where to find the little children’s books. The children learned how to hold the books and to turn the pages gently. They were very excited to choose their own books and read them. Mrs M sat down with them and read a ‘Peppa Pig’ book out loud. They then went outside and sat on the benches in the outdoor reading corner. They had a wonderful time and we look forward to learning about books and visiting the Library again soon.
Ms Jacky Billings
Nursery Teacher
7 Ways to encourage your child to love books:
1. Start early
Read aloud to your child, starting as soon as your baby is big enough to sit up. A baby might not understand the words you’re saying, but they will benefit from the sound of your voice, colourful pictures and the intimacy of being snuggled in your arms. Make bed-time stories a nightly ritual for toddlers and pre-schoolers, and for older children too, even if they’ve already learned to read to themselves.
2. Provide books, and sing their praises!
Set up a small shelf in your child’s room and fill it with interesting, colourful books. There’s no need to spend a fortune: you can borrow books from friends or your local library, or pick them up in second-hand shops and flea markets. However, encouraging your children to love reading goes beyond merely giving them easy access to books: it’s also important to set an example by praising books, and by showing them how much Mom enjoys reading her own novels, magazines and newspapers.
3. Look after books
A book, no matter how old and tattered, is a gateway into other worlds, and it’s important to encourage children to respect and take care of books. Let your children help you cover treasured books with plastic, and write their names in the front of the books to give them a sense of ownership.
4. Join a library
Visit your local library and apply for children’s borrowers’ cards. Encourage the kids to explore the library, to select their own books and to check them out themselves, which will help inspire independence. Then schedule a visit to the library every few weeks – this is a great way to spend quality time with your little ones.
5. Talk about books
Show an interest in what your children are reading, and encourage them to discuss the books they’re enjoying. Family dinners are an excellent opportunity to open a conversation about reading and stories, and to share interesting facts from novels and reference books. Ask questions about the story while reading to your child. Involving them in the story will make them more excited to read along.
6. Help them find the right books
Once a child has found a book she adores, she’ll want to explore more stories by the same author, or books that have similar themes. Ask your librarian for recommendations, or use the Internet to research lists of books that are adored by children across the world.
7. Let them read what they want
Although it’s important to choose age-appropriate reading material for kids, and to keep unsuitable adult books out of reach, it’s also wise to offer no judgments when it comes to children’s choices. Reading a comic, for example, is better than not reading at all. It doesn’t matter how many times a child re-reads a beloved novel, or if your son sticks only to stories about soccer, or if you think a book sounds dull. As reading skills develop and the children enter the teenage and adult years, they’ll move on to a whole new world of new and interesting topics: science fiction, fantasy, poetry, biography and so many more.
Tips Credit: http://nutriday.co.za/7-ways-to-encourage-your-kids-to-read/
