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| |    The Different Ways Toddlers and Preschoolers Enjoy Books by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. reviewed by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. Although the world of books holds many rewards for every child, toddlers and preschoolers with different temperaments enjoy books differently. Temperament and reading aloud A very active toddler, who is enchanted with the wonder of walking on his own, might only sit still for a minute or two. But he can still enjoy listening while you read aloud, and will come over from time to time to look at the pictures. Once he has mastered walking, turning, and stopping, the next challenge might be walking while carrying something. For many active toddlers the thing to carry is, of course, a book! Active preschoolers often like to listen to stories while moving about the room, doing something with their hands, or even standing on their heads! Amazingly, they are actually taking in the story perfectly well. Other children who are less active will patiently sit through a long story, and eagerly ask for more. Children who are highly persistent by nature often have a hard time letting the reading end. They demand, "Just one more story!" A few reminders given during the last book can help make the transition to the next activity easier. You can reassure your child that you will read again at bedtime or next morning. It's OK to give in to your child's pleading if you feel like reading more anyhow. But it's important that when you say, "We're really going to stop now," you follow through and stop. A child with a moderate level of activity, a long attention span, and a flexible, agile mind makes the perfect reading partner. If this is your child's temperament, your job is easy! But children with many different temperaments can learn to love reading together, and later on their own, if their parents know how to adapt. Learning styles One toddler who is very visual in her approach to the world might spend long minutes studying the pictures in a book. Bright, rather simple pictures will still be best. But try a book with a partially hidden character (for example, Have You Seen My Duckling, by Nancy Tafuri. A visually oriented toddler will delight in finding the duckling on each page.) A verbally oriented toddler will love to listen to the sound of words. Poetry is especially attractive because of the rhyme and rhythm. A story with a repeated chant ("Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum" in Jack and the Beanstalk) delights many toddlers and, because it is predictable, they can join in the "reading" of the book. Knowing what is coming gives them the sense that the book is theirs. Many toddlers learn best by touching (tactile learning) and through body movement (kinesthetic learning.) If there is motion in the story (a boat rocking on the waves, a baby on a swing, a horse galloping, or a mom stirring soup), you can act out the motion with your toddler. Talking, touching, moving, and playing make the book come alive to all of your toddler's senses. All children learn best when they are actively involved. They love the opportunity to act out parts of the books they're listening to. So, if you're reading a story about magic genies and flying carpets, you might want to dig out an old tea-pot and a rug (or a sheet). Your child will know just what to do! Click here to join the discussion on Reading and Your Child
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