Reading at bedtime 'encourages lifelong habit'
01/07/2008
Reading to a child before they head to bed can create memories surrounding books and encourage them to keep up the habit as they get older, according to one expert.
Making her comments in the Bugle Observer, publisher Jeanne Langille notes that reading to youngsters is not only enjoyable for the child but for the adult too.
"Who wouldn't enjoy the undivided attention of a toddler, waiting anxiously to hear what you say next and the sheer joy of giggling to words that make no sense to her at all?" she adds.
Ms Langille continues to say that it is best to start reading to children at a very early age, commenting that experts believe even babies are reassured by hearing a trusted voice going over familiar books, even if they do not understand the words.
She concludes that reading to children at bedtime can help them become better learners as they are less distracted, focused and curious.
It was previously reported that the government's Boys Into Books scheme is encouraging fathers to read to their sons before they head to bed and bond with them over spy novels or fantasy tales.
