_630_465_int_s_c1.png "Early Years reading – How to foster a love of books")
Supporting early years learners to develop a positive relationship with books and reading can boost language, literacy, empathy and wellbeing, says Abi Ellis…
It’s essential that children develop a connection to books and stories in the early years. Here are some ideas that can have a big impact on the reading culture in your setting…
One of the most impactful ways to spark children’s interest in books and stories is to demonstrate your own love of them. Show your enjoyment in looking at books together and share your enthusiasm through your tone, body language and expression.
Ensure story time is a planned, prioritised and valued time of the day. All children should have the opportunity to hear stories read aloud, exposing them to engaging, challenging texts and new vocabulary.
Ensure there are numerous daily opportunities for children to choose to look at books independently, both with their peers and familiar adults, one-on-one and in small groups.
Children should be surrounded by books to support and inspire play as well as in inviting cosy spaces.
Sharing books provides opportunities for powerful serve-and-return interactions. Respond to baby’s touch, gesture, and gaze towards the pages of a book. Encourage older children to comment on and question what they see and hear.
Invite them to consider characters’ feelings and use their imaginations to anticipate what might happen next. Model “book talk” (page, author, beginning) to provide children with the necessary vocabulary to talk about books.
Our research shows that when readers see themselves, their families and their communities represented in books, they are more likely to enjoy reading.
Books also support the introduction of less familiar people, families, communities and environments, broadening children’s knowledge, understanding and empathy.
Providing children with a range of high quality reading materials gives them the opportunity to discover what they enjoy and develop an understanding of print as a form of communication.
For example, use non-fiction texts to answer questions, retrieve information, follow instructions, and create and use signs and messages.
Repeated reading of stories supports children to consolidate their understanding, enabling them to connect with the story, learn new vocabulary and anticipate what’s coming next.
It also builds their confidence to become actively involved in storytelling, at story time and within their play.
Immersing children in stories enables them to use their imaginations, build relationships with characters, and understand the plot and its meaning.
Extend opportunities for children to engage with stories within their play through the provision of open-ended resources alongside props to support storytelling.
Be creative in your approach; for example, observe real caterpillars after reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar, or create a new story that reflects the plot or rhyme of a favourite.
Sharing your knowledge about early reading and the importance of developing a love of books at home with the families of the children you care for is essential.
Building families’ confidence and knowledge of how they can support their child’s relationship with books will have a significant impact.
As with the children, your enthusiasm for books will be contagious in demonstrating to parents the impact they can have.
Abi Ellis is senior project manager for early years at National Literacy Trust. Access NLT’s free practitioner resource, Supporting Reading in the Early Years.
