The Moral Of The Story: What You Read With Your Children Matters

One of the most important activities for a caregiver and child is reading together. Reading prepares a child to succeed academically, stimulates imagination, and facilitates closeness. Children as young as a few months of age can look at pictures, listen to your voice, and draw associations between the book and the world around them. Children love the sound of language before they understand that it comes from the words on the page. Even after children learn to read in school, it is still beneficial to read together to expand their literacy horizons.

How often should you read to your child?

Even though life can be busy, it's important to set aside a small amount of time each day for reading. Having a regularly scheduled time makes it convenient to remember and helps your child know what to expect. Reading on a regular basis sends the message to your child that reading is important. The main goal is to motivate your child to read independently and become fluent, so they can find joy in a lifelong relationship with reading.

Which books should you read to your child?

While all reading is beneficial for language development, some books target specific educational concepts that are appropriate for different age levels. Most libraries and online booksellers will give recommended ages for certain books. When children reach preschool age and older, it's important to include books that have a moral to the story. Children love relating to characters and will remember lessons learned from books more than lectures from their parents. Some morals important for school-age children include being kind to others, telling the truth even when it's difficult, expressing gratitude, accepting flaws and weaknesses, and the value of hard work.

How can you discuss the books with your child?

Some of the value of stories with a moral may not be accessible to your child without a follow-up discussion. Talking about the book together can help uncover the meaning and allow the child to relate the story to their own life. After reading a story with a moral, talk about what happened to the characters and ask the child what they would have done in the same situation. Focus on simple elements such as the "problem" in the story, the character's emotions, and what was done to solve the problem. Reinforce the lessons throughout the day when your child shows an application of what they have learned.

For more information, contact a bookseller that carries moral story books for children.

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