Enriching the lives of children by working with the adults who

affect their lives - parents, caregivers, and educators.

Books & Baby - Children's Reading Time with Stories & Poems

Stories and poems can help children grow and learn in many different

ways.  Stories and poems can help develop children's imagination;

help children cope with stress; help children relax; teach children about themselves and their worlds; help build children's interests and create new ones; and teach children about art through pictureillustrations.

Stories and poems are examples of the way words are organized in children's books.  Story books are exactly that - they tell stories.  Children's stories have beginnings that make you want to read more.  Poetry is like music to children's ears.  Information books are like encyclopedias for children.  Thinking books help children learn about and understand things in their world.  A story book can be both an informatino book and a thinking book at the same time.

Choosing Books for Children

Before you choose a book, think about the children you will read to.  When choosing books, look at the pictures.  Will children like them?  Will children become absorbed in the story and enjoy the book?  Try cloth or board books for babies and young toddlers.  Wordless books, pop-up picture books and activity books are suitable for older children.

Reading to Children

Before you start to read, allow the child to get settled.  You may get to know children better by listening to their stories.  Young children often do not realize that stories and poems are written by people.  Allow some tme after you read the story or poem for the child to talk about it.  Children have fun re-telling stories using puppets.

You can help children enjoy books at any age.  Make your own picture books with children.  Let the children decorate the cover of a book.  You can make a bird book, a horse book, or a book about whatever the children are interested in.

The children can even make books about themselves.  You also can record the children reading or telling stories of their own and then play it back for them.  Whatever you do, enjoy reading with your child!

Prepared by Nancy Pauly, Extension Educator/Family and Consumer Sciences

Bennett County, South Dakota State University

Source:  National Network for Child Care - Good Times with Stories and Poems.