The Power of Pre-Reading: Unveiling the Benefits of Reading Children's Books First

As parents, we want to provide our children with the best opportunities for growth and development. One way to nurture their imagination, language skills, and emotional intelligence is through reading. However, there's a hidden gem in the process that many parents overlook—the practice of pre-reading children's books. This blog will delve into the benefits of reading a children's book before introducing it to your child. So, let's unlock the magic within the pages and explore the power of pre-reading!

Familiarity breeds engagement: When you take the time to pre-read a children's book, you become familiar with the story, characters, and themes. This familiarity allows you to engage with your child more effectively during the reading experience. By discussing the characters and their dilemmas, you can ignite curiosity and encourage your child's active participation while reading.

Tailoring discussions and questions: Pre-reading enables you to tailor your questions and discussions to your child's age, interests, and comprehension level. You can prepare thought-provoking queries, anticipate tricky vocabulary, and devise engaging activities to enhance your child's understanding and enjoyment of the book. This personalized approach not only deepens their connection to the story but also strengthens their cognitive abilities.

Addressing sensitive topics: Children's books often touch upon sensitive or challenging subjects such as loss, friendship, or diversity. By pre-reading these books, you can assess the content and gauge its appropriateness for your child's emotional readiness. This allows you to prepare for potential discussions or provide the necessary support to help them navigate complex themes in a safe and nurturing environment.

Enhancing storytelling skills: Reading a book beforehand allows you to observe the author's writing style, narrative structure, and use of language. This insight can inspire you to enhance your storytelling skills and bring the characters to life with engaging voices and animated expressions. By becoming a captivating storyteller, you foster your child's love for reading and create lasting memories of shared literary adventures.

Anticipation and bonding: Pre-reading a children's book creates a sense of anticipation for both you and your child. It builds excitement and eagerness to dive into the story together. As you share this joyful anticipation, you strengthen the bond between you and your child, creating a positive association with reading. This shared experience sets the stage for meaningful conversations and fosters a lifelong love for books.

Prereading children's books is an investment in your child's literary journey. By familiarising yourself with the story, tailoring discussions, addressing sensitive topics, enhancing storytelling skills, and fostering anticipation and bonding, you create a rich reading experience that brings joy and nurtures their cognitive, emotional, and social development. So, before handing that book to your child, please take a moment to indulge in its magic and unlock a world of wonder together. Happy pre-reading!

Please take a look at my online bookshop! https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/getkidsreading

Here I have a 'Favourite books to read to your children' section. I receive a small amount if you purchase a book, and some money goes to support independent bookshops.

Also, don't forget to look at my resource page and shop for resources I created to help you with your child's reading journey. Thank you!