Selecting the Right Books for Children Under Seven Years Old
Parents have a big part to play in helping kids develop a keen interest in reading. For a start, it is important to know the type of books your kids will like.
Genres and Styles
Every child is unique. So is his or her preference for books. Some kids like pictorial books, others enjoy rhymes. Then there are those who love a good laugh from a silly story while others prefer an action-packed adventure or crime story. Find out what your child likes.
Age-Appropriate Books
Parents must also help make reading less daunting. This is where selecting books that are suitable for our child’s age is crucial.
Zubaidah Mohsen, a Senior Librarian with Children’s Services at the National Library Board shares some quick tips on choosing books that are suitable for your child’s age:
Infants (0-12 months)
- Look for books illustrated in black, white and red. Visually, these are the colours infants process best.
- Pick brightly-coloured books that are made of plastic, board or cloth, accompanied with simple and clear pictures.
- Introduce books with good rhymes and rhythms. At this stage, your baby will not understand the content, but the sounds you make will keep your child enthralled!
Toddlers (1-3 years)
- Choose books that gets your child involved, such as lifting flaps to peep behind doors, or those with Velcro flaps which can be peeled away to reveal information.
- Introduce books with nursery rhymes or those with words to action songs. For example, books like ‘I’m a Little Teapot’, ‘Round and Round the Garden’, etc.
- Get picture books that introduce concepts like numbers, colours and sizes.
Preschoolers (4-6 years)
- Pick books with simple storylines and repetitive sentence patterns like ‘Chicken Licken’, ‘Three Little Pigs’, etc.
- Opt for stories that your child can relate to, such as the first day of school, fear of the dark, making friends at the playground, etc.
- Choose books that encourage discussion between you and your child, like stories with embedded questions, or simple plots so that your child can predict what happens next.
Source: Edited from Family.sg