7min read
Wellbeing tips for parents
Download our leaflet on wellbeing tips for parents and carers
7min read
Picking up a book and reading with your young child can be a very warm and loving experience. While you have their undying attention as they anticipate the next part of the story, it is a lovely way of strengthening the bond between a parent and their child and can help them become a reader for life.
It is never too early to start reading with your child, whether they are still in the womb or just been born, sharing a book already has an impact. Even though your baby may not understand what you are saying to them, by sharing a book, they can pick up the tones and rhythms in your voice. Studies have shown that children who were read to as newborn babies were more able to understand numeracy when they started school.
When you share a book with your baby, you will start to notice them respond to you in their little way and they will learn movement and actions. You may also notice that they will start to express emotion when listening to a story. This may be dependent on your tone of voice, which is what they will pick up from you. Your young baby will also learn many visuals from this age, when you have pattern and texture books, they will interact with the book and participate in the story time. Reading picture books allows them to understand a variety of shapes, letters and colours.
Making time for reading can help your child have a love for reading and books. It can also help you strengthen your bond and share those special moments together.
Find out more from BookTrust who have lots of further support and advice on reading with your child.
Getting the children off to sleep can sometimes be difficult, all the fuss of the evening routine and the fact that more often than not they don’t actually want to go to bed. But there is one bit that can feel really special and that’s reading or telling them a bedtime story.
Most children enjoy settling down with the comfort and security of hearing their parent's voice. If you’re telling them a story even better. It’s also a chance to have some quiet time together, away from all the earlier hassles of the day. If you don’t live in the same home as your children or are away a lot of the time, then bedtime is the perfect chance to squeeze in a few minutes when you can. Whether they are visiting you or you’re back after a long day at work, a few minutes together can be really rewarding.
It may help to chat to other parents on our forums about what works for them. You can also find some great advice and resources from BookTrust. If you do need some advice or support you can talk to us online via our live chat service, email us at askus@familylives.org.uk or call us on our helpline on 0808 800 2222 to speak to trained family support worker. Alternatively, you can speak to your Health Visitor for some guidance.
Download our leaflet on wellbeing tips for parents and carers
Download our infographic to help you build the resilience and emotional health in your children, with practical tips and guidance.