Read the world
to your child
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Parents, a role that always give the best for their children to make sure kids are living a stable and happy life. For a stay-at-home mom, S.P. Kee, reading with her 6-year-old son is one of the bonding time that she specially prepares for her little one.
In 2017, Kee started to share her thoughts on Facebook Page 'We Read To Our Kids' about what she gained from reading to her child. Over the years, Kee’s Facebook page has gained nearly 7,500 likes and it has become a comforting zone to guide first-time parents that are interested in ‘Reading To Their Child’.
Kee's husband has always been her best support in what she practices which is 'read to kids' at home. PHOTO S.P.Kee
By Tan Xin Hui
What is a Picture Book?
Picture book, from the name itself we all can guess that it is a type of book that combines more visuals and only a few words. “The book speaks through the pictures”, said Kee.
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“I think picture books can develop the kid's aesthetic appreciation, language skills, and also their cognitive improvement, especially when the story is interesting that brings joy to both parents and child”, she said.
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Kee suggests choosing the first picture books relating to child’s interesting topic, for example, dinosaurs.
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The other method that should be considered is the age factor. “The kids before 3 years are more likely interested in familiar activities, such as eating, bathing, father, mother, pets, and others. After they 3 years then, they start developing interest in the story content and start gaining knowledge-based content at the age of 4 to 5.”
Reading is always better to start earlier. Even babies can start reading by exposing them to cloth or board books.
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Kee introduced her son to picture books since 1 and a half-year-old. “When the picture books do not meet his needs as he grows up, I will add other reading materials, such as science books, storybooks, and even comics”, she said. “And I suggest parents choose the native language to read with kids.”
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Kee shared that parents can also join reading parents groups virtually or face to face to gather helpful recommendations. They can also refer to the ranking of the 100 best children's books, and the books that were awarded internationally, such as Caldecott Medal Awards Book List.
How to start 'Reading To Your Child' session
Click here for booklist recommendations
from S.P Kee:
Kee reminded that parents must have the right concept of ‘Reading to Child’. "We do not want to just teach them to read and learn words, but the main purpose is to develop their interest in reading until they become good readers”, she said.
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There are three major No's when parent read to kids such as Do No Point And Read, No Forcing and No Preaching.
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She advice parents should start the first step of reading to their child for at least 15 minutes every night before bed, in a comfortable, quiet space without any disturbance. “Don’t force your children to continue to read if they leave halfway, you may try again the next day”, she explained.
Parents can actually fix an everyday reading routine with their child for 15 minutes. For working parents that are only able to accompany their child on weekends, please try to spend the time reading to your kids”, she advised.
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When children start asking for a longer reading session with parents or require multiple times reading in a day, then parents have to more likely satisfy their needs.
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According to Kee, reading to
your child is not only to bring the joy of reading but to also make children bond with parents. “You can still have reading session with your child even when they are able to read alone. Reading session should be continued until children complete their primary school”, Kee
explained.