TIME LEFT TO ENTER:
7 DAYS 11HRS 43MINS
7 DAYS 11HRS 43MINS
Cuddling up with a story is a wonderful way to relax and bond with your child after a hard day at work. Andrew Watson is a parenting expert and author of "Teach Yourself: Be a Great Dad" and "Down to Earth with a Bump". He's passionate about reading with children. Here he shares his tips to get the most out of story-time.
TOP READING TIPS
Let your child have some input into choosing the story.
That way you ensure they're interested from the beginning.
That way you ensure they're interested from the beginning.
Get comfortable before you start.
If you're staying put for the story, you don't want to be interrupted by distractions or discomfort.
If you're staying put for the story, you don't want to be interrupted by distractions or discomfort.
Get inspiration from a local story-time group.
If reading to your child feels totally alien, go along together to a local library story-time group to get an idea of how to do it and how much fun it can be.
If reading to your child feels totally alien, go along together to a local library story-time group to get an idea of how to do it and how much fun it can be.
Throw yourself into it.
Don’t feel shy or inhibited – remember, it’s only your child who is listening, and she'll think you're a fabulous storyteller whatever!
Don’t feel shy or inhibited – remember, it’s only your child who is listening, and she'll think you're a fabulous storyteller whatever!
Vary your voice.
A story comes so much more alive when you change your tone, pitch and volume to match the mood and pace of the story.
A story comes so much more alive when you change your tone, pitch and volume to match the mood and pace of the story.
Reflect feelings.
If you see your child start to giggle, for example, then giggle along with him. Matching your emotions to his intensifies his enjoyment.
If you see your child start to giggle, for example, then giggle along with him. Matching your emotions to his intensifies his enjoyment.
Picture pointing.
If your child is a toddler, encourage her to point at the pictures on the page as you progress through the story.
If your child is a toddler, encourage her to point at the pictures on the page as you progress through the story.
Role reversal.
When your child has started to read for himself, encourage him to read you a story instead of vice versa. That’s interesting for both of you.
When your child has started to read for himself, encourage him to read you a story instead of vice versa. That’s interesting for both of you.
Repeat the story.
ou might find repetition boring but your child thinks repetition is fun – she loves knowing the story inside out.
ou might find repetition boring but your child thinks repetition is fun – she loves knowing the story inside out.
Change locations.
The beauty of storytelling is that you can do it anywhere. Making up a story about the sea in the bath will delight a child, while creating a one-off, spontaneous story in a traffic jam can distract!
The beauty of storytelling is that you can do it anywhere. Making up a story about the sea in the bath will delight a child, while creating a one-off, spontaneous story in a traffic jam can distract!
Be creative.
Have a shot at making up your own story. Your child will more than likely be enthralled, whatever you may think of your efforts!
Have a shot at making up your own story. Your child will more than likely be enthralled, whatever you may think of your efforts!
Encourage your child to become a story-teller.
With his young, unlimited imagination, he doesn’t need much prompting to create a story.
With his young, unlimited imagination, he doesn’t need much prompting to create a story.