Books Help Your Child Make ConnectionsUse Books to Help Your Child Make Connections to Their Own Life
One of the most powerful aspects of a book is its ability to reach into our lives and touch something unique and special.
As adults we often find ourselves lost in a tale. It is this ability to be consumed by the written word, which makes reading one of the most powerful pastimes going.
One of the reasons for this is our ability to relate to what is happening on the page in front of us.
Here are a few tips that will help your young reader develop a deep love and fascination with reading.
Make the Book Relatable to Your Child’s Life
All creatures experience similar emotions when faced with difficulties and challenges. It doesn’t matter if they are a green elephant with a toothache, a dog who loves sausages too much, or a fairy that doesn’t have any friends. Children can easily identify with the situation the character is in, and how he or she manages to overcome it.
While many stories and fairy tales seem distant or fantasy based, there will always be aspects that can be related to a child’s life. They might have a dog like the character in the story. They may not like the dark or they may love to sing, for example.
When a character’s parents do something funny or strange, you might ask if they know any parents who do those things too.
When a child can relate the actions or behavior of a character to their own lives, it makes the story more real and believable. They build a connection with the characters and the story that has a real meaning, even though the plot might be fantasy based.
Next time you sit down to read to your child keep in mind how important it is to build a strong connection with reading, and grow a love of books in the heart and mind of your child.
Susan Day
