Reading to babies gives them literary skills headstart, study shows

IT’S never too early for parents to start reading to their children, with a study showing that babies who are read to will enjoy a headstart in literacy skills later in life.

Eight-month-old Margot Tinkler has signed up for the Premiers’ Reading Challenge. Picture: Eugene Hyland

PARENTS are being told to read to their newborn babies to increase their literacy skills later in life.

The Premiers’ Reading Challenge wants tots — and their parents — to hit the books years ahead of school.

Associate Professor Patricia Eadie, from the University of Melbourne, said books and storytelling could be introduced to children as young as three months old.

“Once a child or baby can be sitting and looking at things, there is no reason why that can’t be a board book,” she said.

“The key thing is that it provides a way of learning and hearing new words. In the early years, it is all about building a foundation.

“What parents do at home matters a lot.”

Prof Eadie said there was a “strong relationship” between the number of times children were read to and their literacy skills later in life.

The Early Language in Victoria study found reading to youngsters resulted in better literacy and spelling.

By age four, the reading skills of a child read to every day is a year ahead of those read to just twice a week.

Those read to three to five times a week were six months ahead.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, read by Oliver, is recommended for preschool aged children.

The challenge tasks children with reading or “experiencing” 40 books, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Possum Magic, within six months.

Kingsville siblings Margot, 8 months, Flynn, 4, and Audrey Tinkler, 6, have all signed up for the challenge.

Each read a book a day — or have it read to them.

“If they had the choice they wouldn’t stop at one book,” mum Kate Tinkler said.

“We have read to them all since they were babies. They love the sound of your voice and the time you take to spend with them.

“Audrey spoke very early and had 40 words by the time she was one. Having an interest in books has really created a love of literacy in them.”

Families and Children Minister Jenny Mikakos said a new campaign, as part of the challenge, would make sure “every parent knows the benefits of reading to their kids from day one”.

“Sharing books with children is one of the most powerful things we can do to help build a child’s love of literature and reading,” she said.

“We want more Victorian families reading to their kids more often because we know how beneficial it is.”

TIPS FOR READING TO YOUNG CHILDREN:

— trace your finger under the word you read

— describe pictures your child touches, for example: “look at that ...” or “you found a ...”

- sit close so you can see your child’s eyes as they look at the book

— read books in a “conversational” way

— for older children, ask them to predict what will happen next

— ask your child their favourite part

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@moniquehore