Let children take active role in reading

Reading to children is a fantastic way to develop their literacy skills and spend time bonding. If your child is constantly interrupting or asking questions you might feel it breaks the flow of storytelling, but don’t worry – if we focus on just reading a book word for word, many opportunities for discussion and conversation are lost. Through talking about what we see in the pictures and what’s happening in the text, we are giving children the chance to grasp meaning and learn from the book. The narrative is important but there is also lots of value in talking about how characters might be feeling, what their intentions are and how the plot might develop. It gives children a chance to participate actively as opposed to simply listening. Next time you’re reading to your child, consider changing your approach. It’s OK to stray from the text and finish the story by talking about the pictures. Fostering a positive association with books is the first step to helping children develop a lifelong love of reading. n The Scottish Book Trust is a charity, changing lives through reading and writing. Go to scottishbooktrust.com for a wide range of book suggestions for all ages.