Story time! When my kids were little we enjoyed story time in the library. We also had our own story time at home, Chinese Story Time.
We continue the story time until now even though they are teens. Sometimes I read to them and sometimes they read to me. It has become a time to read and to exchange ideas. At times, we are just making up stories with things the kids see during the day. This kind of story is created with the imagination of the kids.
Create your own story time, Chinese story time. You don’t need a lot of words but it can be filled with learning opportunities. Focus on a topic with a wordless book. Flashlight by Lizi Boyd is a good choice. Set up a tent in the house and read this book. Learning about inside and outside. Going on an adventure with a flashlight with your child.
Story time can be a lot of fun when you have it outdoors. Are you heading to the beach? How about having a story time by the pool. Wave by Suzy Lee is another fun wordless book you can use on a summer day. Use the action words and follow the simple illustration. Your story time with your child can incorporate arts, crafts, and games. The book is a lead to many learning opportunities.
The Red Book, a Caldecott Honor Book, is another wordless book that gives you and your child a different experience of reading a story. Where is the girl going? Do you see the red book? Where is it? Ask simple questions to your child. Look at the pictures. Use as many Chinese words and expressions you already know from page to page.
When your child is older and is ready for screen time you can add simple video stories like Big And Small and I See Numbers to your story time at home.
Reading has a powerful impact on language learning. It is building a connection between the spoken words with the written language for young kids. Books are resources for children to expand their vocabulary and develop imagination.
Words on the page are more than just text. There are images. When you to your child’s favorite story you capture your child’s attention. What she hears is words, and what she sees in her head is like a movie of the story in the book.
What are you reading with your child today?
image by Amanda Tipton
