Reading for your Kid


An elephant going for an evening walk when he bumped into a mouse. They started walking together and while they were busy chatting, the elephant stamped a pig on his feet. He said sorry but the pig didn’t stop crying. Sad and guilty, both decided to make him smile by singing a song. Eventually, the pig smiled. They became friends and decided to have more fun together.


Reading for your child is the best activity to the little minds when they are away from exploring the world with their little hands and feet. Each time the kids sees the colour pictures of their favorite characters speaking the same language like us, their longing for more always fascinates us. And the funny noises we make, the special effects we give, the add­-ons we do, compels them to add reading to their to­-do fun-list.

Reading a book before bed time is ok, but sometimes the so called “Story Book Time” comes unscheduled and we often hesitate. “When will I finish my chores?”, “I am too tired now, I am just back from office?” and “It’s so boring to read the same book over and over again.” becomes some of our common excuses and we try to push it for later. But, needless to say, the wonders the books do are many. How easily we can plop the food inside while they open their mouth delighted over something. How easily the books succeed to pass on the right messages. And then the pleasing smile, we see on their face while falling asleep over a bedtime story, always keeps us going.

Some tips for a fun time reading:­

1) Choosing the right book : ​Think what your child likes, considering his / her age level. Be it a toy they are attached to or a rhyme they always sings. When they see the same thing over a printed paper, their curiosity shoots.


2) S​peak like the characters:​ Make weird noises, create special effect, you never know when your stress just goes away from a tiring day after having a good laugh with them.

3) Give them authority: ​While you handle the reading part, ask them to hold the book. In the meantime, use your hands to finish up on cutting the remaining vegetables.

4) A​sk questions:​ Ask them whom do they see in the book, what they are doing and whatever you see catchy in the book. We always get surprised when they say exactly the same way we recited, the last time.


4) Change the mood: Kids love to explore new things. And when they see you sleepy over the same book, they  lose interest too. Grab the chance and change the book.

5) V​isit the nearest library: T​alk about it and make it a  fun outing like the park. They get more curious when  they get to choose their own books. After they are done,  tell them it’s now Mommy/Daddy’s turn to choose a  book.

Benefits of Reading:­

1) Bonding Time​­: We get a chance to snuggle up close with our kid with a book and enjoy some calm time. We never get the same chance when they are always running and jumping as they grow older.

2) Develop vocabulary skills:​ Early reading develops vocabulary and literacy skills. How a word produces sound and the combination of words forming a sentence makes different sounds helps them in speaking.

3) Love for Books:​ Early reading promotes interest on books. They might prefer books over television, CDs, games etc. This also might continue as they grow older.


4) Boost confidence:​ When they are ready for school, reading to them helps them to gain confidence on how to deal with things independently without their parents.

5) Logical Thinking:​ When kids are always busy finding logic over something we say, books help us to answer them on our behalf.

So, have a cuddly time with your kids and enjoy reading.