Although children won't fully understand the story or poem, they will simply enjoy hearing their parent's voice. Parents will want to provide picture books for infants and simple word and rhyming books for toddlers. Preschoolers enjoy books that contain short stories as well as information about the world around them. Reading is more than just saying words. It's a shared activity between children and caring adults.
Children can also learn a great deal about language by hearing parents and grandparents read aloud.
Parents can write down the stories and then read them back to children. Children also get the impression that reading is valuable when they see their parents enjoy and benefit from reading. When parents read at home and check out library books for themselves, as well as their children, parents model the pleasure and importance of reading. Lynch, Priscilla, Hello Reader-Level 1 Series, Scholastic, Inc., New York, 1994. Prepared by Lisa K. McMurtry, Extension Educator, Family Life.