MyBookStork.com Blog

With literally hundreds of children’s books on the market today, how do you choose the ones that will most benefit your kids? The best approach is to use your child’s age as a guide. Based on whether you’re reading to a newborn, a toddler, or a pre-schooler, different types of books will provide different types of stimulation and help your little reader reach certain developmental milestones. Different stages also call for varied reading techniques to help your child get the most education and entertainment out of each session.

Below, we’ve compiled some stage-by-stage recommendations to use when sharing a book with your young reading companion.

Baby Steps

There’s no disputing the benefits of reading to your baby. Even if he can’t yet understand the story’s plot or the meaning of the words he’s hearing, he’s enjoying an array of advantages that will continue to serve him through his toddler and pre-school years. In addition to soothing him with the sound of your voice, reading aloud to your baby presents the basic building blocks of his language, provides stimulation for cognitive growth, and promotes a nurturing bond with you.

It may seem like your newborn isn’t aware of the details of his surroundings, but he’s absorbing more than you think. Infants are attracted to sharply contrasting colors, especially black and white. At this stage, words aren’t as important as colors, shapes, and pictures. Newborns especially enjoy looking at other people’s faces, so choose books that include close-up pictures of other babies, children, and adults. By exposing your infant to these graphical elements, you’re helping to lay the foundation for picture recognition.

Once he reaches the 4-6 month phase, your baby will begin to display a more active interest in the books you read to him. Bright, vivid colors and pictures will hold his attention best. Narrate the story in an animated voice, emphasizing rhyming and repeating verses. By the time your baby is 6-9 months old, he’ll likely start responding more during story time, reaching out to point at favorite pictures and touching the pages. You may often find him verbally responding to your voice, cooing and laughing as you recite familiar passages. As your baby approaches the one-year mark, he’ll begin to recognize certain books as his favorites, will show signs of associating pictures with objects, and may start to mimic the sounds of animals he sees on the page.

Reading to Toddlers

Toddlers are voracious explorers, regarding every situation as an educational adventure—including books. When reading to a child between 12 months and 2-1/2 years old, you’ll likely notice a shift from passive observer to active participant. Your toddler will want to have a say in everything from the book you choose to read to which chair you sit in to read it. Try to be as flexible as possible while narrating the story. Let your little one set the pace—if she wants to spend more time on a page that interests her, or if she deviates from the story to talk about the pictures, accommodate her. Invite her to hold the book as you read, or to help turn the pages.

Toddlers thrive on routine, so incorporate reading as a regular pre-bedtime and pre-nap regimen. Keep in mind that children in this age group sometimes find it difficult to remain still for long periods of time, so be patient. Your child may start off sitting on your lap or lying beside you, but may get up several times during the course of the story. Keep reading, and she’ll likely return.

Children in this age group also have a predilection for repetition, so don’t be surprised if your toddler requests that you read the same book over and over again. She may even begin reciting familiar words and phrases as you turn the pages.

Pre-school Readers

As your child approaches pre-school age, he’s forming the foundation for a lifetime of reading. When reading to a 3- to 5-year-old, you’ll notice a more active participation in the story, questions about the characters and plot, and recognition of numbers and letters. 4- and 5-year-olds will recognize that the words on the page represent the details of the story, and may even be able to sound out some of the easier words as a first step toward reading on their own. As you read, run a finger beneath the words to help your child begin to grasp the concept of letters forming words, words forming sentences, and sentences forming complete stories.

Another common behavior of preschoolers is to page through a book and pretend to be reading. This is a positive sign that indicates their interest in developing their own reading skills. For a fun twist, invite your child to read a favorite book to you—even if they can’t read the words verbatim, they can use the pictures on the pages and their own imagination and memory to piece together the story.

When choosing a story to read to your pre-schooler, why not start with the ones you loved during your own childhood? They’ll get a kick out of sharing the same book you enjoyed when you were their age, and you’ll enjoy seeing a classic favorite through their eyes.

When you’ve reached the end of a book, take a couple of minutes to talk with your pre-schooler about the story. Ask questions about their thoughts on the outcome, their feelings about how the characters dealt with a conflict they faced, and what your child learned from the book.

To reinforce the lessons you’re instilling through reading, point out other printed words with which you and your child come into contact throughout the day. You might ask her what the letters on a stop sign say, for instance, or point out the words on the side of a bus. It’s also a good idea to expose your child to as much of your own reading as possible, whether it’s a literary novel or just a to-do list.

Elementary Readers

As your child enters elementary school, sharing books is an excellent way to help develop her budding reading skills. Build a collection of age-appropriate books tailored to her grade level. When choosing books, look for topics that mirror your child’s daily routines and milestones. For instance, you might select a book about the first day of school for your 5-year-old who’s just starting kindergarten, or a story about the beach just before your family takes a vacation. It’s fine to continue reading aloud, but you should periodically encourage your child to read words and phrases on her own.

Keep informed about your child’s reading progress in school. Show your support by volunteering to come into school and read stories to her class. Helping your child with her homework each night provides another opportunity to monitor and encourage her reading abilities. Be sure to praise her progress as a way of boosting her confidence.

And you don’t have to limit your shared reading to books. Newspapers, public signs, and even cereal boxes provide impromptu reading opportunities.

A Lifetime of Rewards

Taking just a few minutes each day to read to your child, no matter what his age, will provide him with a solid foundation for years of learning and fun. By choosing materials that are age-appropriate and utilizing some of the tips presented above, you can help make reading an adventure, not a chore.

Let’s face it: modern families are busier than ever. Between work, school, homework, sports, and errands, today’s hectic lifestyles make it difficult for everyone to sit down at the dinner table at the same time, much less carve out the spare minutes to read together every day.

We’ve all heard the experts herald the many benefits of reading to our children. Just fifteen minutes a day can help boost cognitive development, improve social skills, increase the retention of new concepts in school, and encourage creativity. With so many important advantages within such easy reach, every parent needs to find the time to read to their children on a regular basis.

It doesn’t have to require a great deal of effort or sacrifice. Below, we’ve compiled some easy, creative ways to incorporate reading into your everyday routine, and to ensure that the time is spent effectively:

• Make it a bedtime ritual. Reading to your child helps to create a soothing atmosphere and helps eliminate the stress and tension of the day, promoting more restful sleep and pleasant dreams. Each night when you tuck your little one in, let him select one or two stories to read together. In less than ten minutes, you can enjoy some valuable bonding time and help your child relax enough to drift off to sleep. Naptimes are another opportunity to incorporate a quick book.
• Read during meals. What better time to share a story than when the family is already gathered together at the dinner table? Although books shouldn’t replace eating conversation, there’s nothing wrong with introducing a favorite family tale as the meal winds down. Make it a reward for when your child has tried a new food, cleared his plate, or displayed good table manners.
• Bring books to bath time. Getting clean just got a whole lot more fun. After the shampoo is rinsed away, perch on the edge of the bathtub and read your child their favorite story. As they relax in the water, your child will be a captive audience. Many books are available in a waterproof design intended for bath use.
• Choose relevant themes. Children most enjoy books when they can relate to the subject matter. If your four-year-old has just started pre-school, select books that put a positive spin on the first day of school. For a six-year-old who’s preoccupied with a loose tooth, a story about the Tooth Fairy’s arrival will surely catch their attention. Pick books tailored to the current season: if Christmas is just around the corner, expose your children to a classic holiday tale, or boost Fourth of July excitement with a patriotic story.
• Replace a TV show. If your child has a favorite television program she watches every evening, try substituting a long reading session. She’ll receive a much greater benefit from books than she would from the show, and you won’t be sacrificing any additional time on top of what was already allocated to another form of entertainment. While your child may resist at first to giving up her show, she’ll soon realize how fun the alternative can be.
• Take your time. Try not to rush through the story—no matter what their age, kids will pick up on your disinterest and will quickly lose enthusiasm for the story. Narrate with an animated voice, and encourage your child to interact as you make your way through the book. Turn each story into an engaging performance that will bring it to life. Be patient as she stops you to point out interesting pictures, sound out words, or ask questions about the storyline.
• Use the story as a conversation starter. During or after the story, pepper your child with questions pertaining to the plot or the pictures. For instance, you might ask him who his favorite character is, what part he enjoyed the most, or what questions remain unanswered at the end. Use the book as a source for a pop quiz on colors, numbers, animals, and more.
• Serve as a reading model. As you’re perusing a newspaper, TV guide, magazine, or catalog of your own, quote interesting tidbits for your child to hear. If they frequently see you reading, and associate it with multiple purposes, they’ll be more likely to display an active interest themselves.
• Take a field trip. When you have some extra time, such as on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, head out to a fun new location with books in tow. Spread out a blanket at the park, have a picnic lunch, and then read a few stories in the open air. In a new context, even the most familiar books can take on an element of novelty and excitement.
• Visit the library. Another destination conducive to reading is the library. Check with your local branch for children’s story time hours, and then take your little one to listen along with the group. Seeing the excited reactions of other children will help to spark their own enthusiasm. While at the library, visit the kids’ section and allow your child to select a few new books to borrow, which will teach them the importance of such a valuable free resource.

You don’t have to incorporate all of these guidelines, but using just a few will help make reading to your child a fundamental element of your daily routine. Plus, these approaches will help to maximize the enjoyment he’ll receive from the stories you introduce to him. When you treat reading like the gift that it is, your child will more readily—and gratefully—receive it.

At My Book Stork, we believe every child deserves to receive the gift of reading. The written word has the power to transcend all class, race, and status divisions, providing education and entertainment across a wide spectrum of readers. The sad reality, though, is there are many kids who simply don’t have access to the appropriate, high-quality books or instruction they need, resulting in startlingly high rates of childhood illiteracy.

Studies have shown that if a child does not develop healthy reading skills by the fourth grade, they’ll often completely lose the enthusiasm to learn. This has a negative ripple effect across all areas of study—after all, if a child can’t read, how is he or she supposed to excel in math, science, or social studies? Reading is at the core of all learning, and without it, it’s simply impossible to achieve any level of intellectual development. The benefits of reading are widely known: an enhanced vocabulary, a richer imagination, improved speech patterns, and a greater capacity to learn.

The good news is, everyone has the capacity to help. By donating just a little time each week, you can help to foster underprivileged children with the skills and enthusiasm they need to truly appreciate the joy of books.

Below, we’ve compiled some easy ways for you to make a difference in introducing reading and books to disadvantaged children:

• Donate. This is perhaps the easiest way to help. Set aside an afternoon and take stock of your collection of children’s books. If you have older children, ask them to help you make a pile of reading material to donate. Don’t just select the most battered or time-worn books—strive for a diverse mix that caters to a wide variety of interests. You might even encourage your children to sacrifice one treasured book as a gesture of goodwill. Once you’ve got your collection ready, you’ll just need to find a place to take it. Nearly every city has a number of local organizations that help make books available to needy kids. Another easy option is a local Goodwill or Salvation Army donation center. Check with local libraries and schools for groups in your area, or hop online to find out more. Once you’ve selected a donation venue, take your children along to help you drop off the books. Actively participating in the contribution will help them feel good about themselves and will teach them the valuable rewards of philanthropy.

• Host a story hour. Most libraries host regular story time sessions for various age levels, and they’re almost always eager for guest readers. Call your local branch to gauge their need. No library nearby? Consider holding a story hour at another public venue, such as a park or recreation center. Place an ad in a local paper or online to attract young readers in your area.

• Volunteer at a school. Many inner-city schools are low on funds and staffing, and the students pay the price of sub-par curriculum and lack of individualized attention. If you live near one of these struggling schools, contact the administrators and offer to come in and read to a classroom of kids once a week, bi-monthly, or as often as your schedule permits. Many schools are also in need of private tutors to help kids who have dyslexia and other learning disabilities and may require some special time and attention to overcome extra hurdles. Spending just a couple of hours a week with a struggling child can do wonders to increase their reading abilities and level of self-esteem.

• Visit a hospital. For kids who are suffering from a serious illness or recovering from surgery, maintaining a positive outlook can be tough. Introducing the joy of reading can help even a very sick child achieve a new level of optimism. Contact your local children’s hospital and ask about getting involved in a volunteer reading program. Whether it’s a pediatric oncology ward, a burn center, or a critical care unit, you’ll be surprised at how quickly a simple book can bring a smile to the faces of the patients.

• Encourage other kids to get involved. No-one has the power to influence a child quite like their peers. Rally the kids in your own neighborhood to do their part to foster a love of learning in their fellow students. Host a “reading rally” on your street or in your home, where each child reads their favorite book to the group. After the readings, encourage the attendants to donate their own books, to help coach other students who need a little extra instruction, and to volunteer their spare time to read to other kids.

It doesn’t take a huge sacrifice of time or money to help introduce underprivileged or challenged kids to the delights of reading. Whether you can spare one hour or ten, your little efforts will go a long way toward promoting childrens’ self-esteem, imagination, and a lifelong love of learning.

A few months ago, a new boy joined my daughter’s pre-school class. To the casual observer, Jacob seemed to be a perfectly normal four-year-old: sandy brown hair, disarming freckles, Nike gymshoes. A little quiet, perhaps, hovering at the edge of the circle when the other kids gathered for show and tell. While my daughter passed around the shoebox of seashells she’d brought in to share, Jacob seemed oblivious, fixated instead on the pages of a Sesame Street book.

“Looks like you’ve got a reader,” I whispered to the teacher.

She looked up and smiled, then delivered two facts as casually as if they were related, as if they didn’t seem to completely contradict one another. “Oh, Jacob has autism. He loves books.”

Since then, I’ve learned a great deal about autism. As it turns out, the disorder doesn’t always match up with the long-standing stereotypes instilled by the “Rain Man” movie and the rocking, keening kids we’ve all seen in movies and TV shows. A child with autism can often function and communicate at a level close to what’s considered “normal”, playing and talking and, yes, even reading. That said, there are indeed more severe cases resulting in the classic symptoms we’ve all come to recognize: inability to communicate verbally or nonverbally, a sense of detachment or oblivion to the outside world, and repetitive or obsessive movements.

Some Autism Facts

With up to six out of every 1,000 children diagnosed with autism in today’s society, the frequency of the disorder—especially among males—has increased to an alarming extent in recent years. Although there’s been much debate among doctors, parents, and teachers, the only thing that’s certain is this: no-one is sure of the cause, and the sudden spike in occurrences is even more mystifying.

Most cases of autism are diagnosed right around two or three years of age, when the afflicted child fails to reach certain developmental milestones, struggles to communicate with other kids, does not indulge in play, and displays highly repetitive or restrictive behaviors. The good news is, with such a wide range of levels of autism, it is possible that early and aggressive therapies can help mildly to moderately affected children enjoy an active and participatory role in the world around them. One of these beneficial therapies is reading.

Tips for Teaching Reading to Children with Autism

While it’s true that some children with autism will never master the skill of reading, there are plenty that will eventually read at the same level (or sometimes even higher) as those who do not suffer from the disorder. Reading to a child with autism and encouraging him to interact with and respond to the images and words being presented is a great way to promote his involvement with the world around him.

Teachers and parents who are teaching a child with autism to read are faced with a daunting—although not insurmountable—task. In addition to having trouble focusing, sufferers of the disorder often struggle to master even the most basic spelling and grammar rules. Above all, the process requires a great deal of patience and persistence on the part of the instructor. Below, we’ve compiled some tips for effectively introducing reading as a therapeutic tool for children with autism:

• Incorporate music. Children with autism are notoriously drawn to sounds, especially music. Often, a child will seem oblivious to the spoken word, but will suddenly become engaged by the resonance of instruments or a voice lifted in song. Choose books that include audio features, such as buttons that play melodies, animal sounds, or kids’ voices, as a way of capturing and holding the child’s attention.
• Choose reality-based books. Kids with autism are soothed and grounded by the familiarity of the world around them. Many are only truly comfortable at home, surrounded by the objects and routines to which they’re exposed every day. By choosing fanciful, whimsical stories that cater to colorful imaginations, you run the risk of reaching the end of the child’s attention span or causing confusion and frustration. Instead, opt for practical narrations of regular everyday activities, such as waking up, eating breakfast, and getting ready for school.
• Use visual stimulation. Children with autism who are learning to read absorb more information by viewing it than by hearing it. Present letter cut-outs to encourage them to learn and sound out the alphabet, then begin to slowly arrange and rearrange the letters into words. When choosing books, opt for those that include bright and contrasting colors, varying textures, large block lettering, and boldly outlined images.
• Encourage reading groups. It’s important to give children with autism a feeling of inclusion with other kids. Often, mildly affected children are well aware of—and often embarrassed by—the differences between themselves and others their age. Joining a reading group is a great way for kids with autism to interact with their peers while being exposed to educational stories and abstract concepts.

Remember, every child with autism is unique, diagnosed with their own specific level of the disorder. When teaching reading to a child who has been diagnosed the condition, go slowly, remain patient, and adjust your expectations to allow for slow but steady progress. There may be weeks when you’ll notice marked improvement, but then will suddenly find yourself stymied by a frustrating plateau or a disappointing backslide. Again, the key is to stick with it and allow the child as much time as he or she needs to process the concepts being presented.

At My Book Stork, we offer dozens of the most widely loved children’s books in print today. From timeless classics to the latest exciting new titles, you’re sure to find an inspiring choice with visual and intellectual stimulation for all reading levels.

As a new or expectant mother, you want only the best for your baby—and you’ll do whatever it takes to provide it. In the months before your little one arrives, you’ll likely be feverishly creating a registry of must-have baby essentials, such as a crib, changing table, stroller, and baby clothing. While these practical items are certainly indispensable to your newborn’s comfort and your convenience, they’re not particularly stimulating to your little one’s cognitive development. For a well-rounded, diverse registry, why not include a library of books specially geared for babies?

Why Register for Books?

Many new moms make the mistake of waiting to read to their baby until they’ve reached toddler age. It’s easy to see why—after all, an infant has little awareness of what a book is, much less the ability to follow a storyline or recognize images. The truth is, there are a boon of benefits that come with reading to your newborn:

• Your baby loves the sound of your voice. You wouldn’t wait until your baby learned the meanings of words to start talking to her—so why wait to narrate a special book? Reading aloud to your little one provides a great opportunity to expose her to the soothing cadence of your voice.

• Speech lessons begin from day one. The first year of your baby’s life is the most important in terms of learning the basic sounds she’ll need to speak her native language. Although your infant can’t string words together yet, she’s busy listening to everyone around her and practicing her own first noises. Reading to your baby helps to expose her to a rich variety of words and sounds, which she’ll use as the basic building blocks in forming an initial vocabulary.

• Babies need stimulation. Obviously, a newborn’s brain isn’t fully developed yet. Providing a healthy level of stimulation can help to speed up cognitive growth and sensory awareness. Books stimulate an array of senses: bright colors help develop sight, varying textures and materials cater to touch, and books with special sounds help stimulate hearing. Early reading has also been linked to better memory, listening, and vocabulary skills later in life.

• Reading leads to bonding. No matter what your baby’s age, paging through a book together creates an aura of closeness and intimacy. Your baby will enjoy the physical closeness to you, reveling in your smell, your voice, and the soothing rhythm of your heartbeat. Reading to your baby isn’t as one-sided as you might think—when you share a story, you’re participating in an interactive experience in which your baby reacts to the information you present, creating a sense of partnership.

• It creates a soothing sleep routine. Anyone who’s had a baby knows the potential struggle that comes with getting the little one to adhere to a sleep schedule. Although there will undoubtedly be an adjustment period, studies have shown that developing early routines can help to create a soothing environment that promotes more regular and more restful sleep. Babies thrive on repetition, so choosing a few favorite books and reading them over and over again before naptime or bedtime can help your little one drift into dreamland.

• It’s never too early to learn. Although babies may not fully understand the concepts that are being presented to them, providing early exposure to basic shapes, colors, animals, and faces helps to create a solid foundation for all they’ll be learning in the months to come. Plus, reading helps to foster a healthy expression of emotions and strong communication skills, both of which figure in earlier than you might think.

Not only are they beneficial for baby, books provide a refreshing alternative for friends or family members seeking an economical yet meaningful gift for the new arrival. And by choosing a title you’ve personally selected for your baby, they can purchase with confidence.

Choosing Books for Different Stages

Throughout the first months of your baby’s life, his perception of books will shift slightly, as will the specific advantages he’ll receive from them. When selecting your baby book registry, choose a wide range to cater to the first three stages of cognitive development.

• Newborns: Your brand-new baby obviously won’t know what the words or images in a book represent, but he will be drawn to certain graphical elements, especially the dramatic contrast of black-and-white patterns. Books with mirrors and shiny surfaces are also more likely to stimulate baby’s senses. These first exposures to pictures help to lay the groundwork for the picture recognition that will occur in the coming months.

• 4-6 months: By this stage, your baby will begin to respond more readily to rhymed verses, bright colors, and large shapes set against contrasting backgrounds. Thick, colorful board books are ideal for this age range. Your little one may begin to register excitement when you pull out a favorite, familiar book.

• 6 months and older: Your rapidly learning baby will begin to participate more actively in your reading sessions, demonstrating a preference for favorite pages and images. He or she will begin reaching out for the book, pointing to pictures, and even making noises to simulate animals or objects on the page. As your youngster reaches certain milestones, such as crawling, finger-feeding, or sitting up in the bathtub, try to choose books that reinforce and mimic those activities.

Tips for Reading to Your Baby

While there are no hard and fast rules for how you should read to your baby, there are certain strategies you can utilize to help keep your little one engaged and to ensure that she reaps the maximum benefit from each session.

• Keep it brief. Studies have shown that infants have an attention span of approximately three minutes. Rather than trying to keep your baby interested in a 10-minute story, try breaking it up into three or four separate sessions. You should strive to reach a maximum of 30 total minutes spread out over the course of one day.

• Cuddle while you read. Your baby will enjoy being held close to your scent, your body warmth, and the reassuring rhythm of your heartbeat.

• Be dramatic. Inflect the tone of your voice to include high and low intonations, sing rhyming verses, and show exaggerated reactions to what’s happening on the pages. All of this will help teach your baby the joy of reading with expression.

• Don’t feel bound by the text. It’s fine to follow the storyline, but sometimes the most fun is found when you take the occasional detour. Feel free to comment on the pictures, linger over favorite pages, and improvise as you go. Above all, reading should be an exercise in imagination—yours and baby’s!