Tips for reading with your child from an early age

Their bodies may be small, But their brains are quick to grow,With thousands of new synapsesForming daily; it’s quite a show!

As mothers and fathers And grandparents too, School-readying a child’s mindIs a big task for you.

While there are plenty of resourcesFor helping kids to prepare,There’s one foolproof trickThat we’d really like to share.

Because no matter your income, Or language spoken at home, Reading equals succeeding World studies have shown.

Just reading together For 15 minutes, day or night,Can help your child succeedBoth in school, and later life.

So in this booklet you’re holdingWe´re sure that you’ll find,Reading tips from birth to five To help your little one’s growing mind.

Give your child a great start in life!

From the very first momentThat they open their little eyes,Babies begin learning About the big, wide world outside.

By reading to your childAnd snuggling in close,You’ll comfort and reassure themThat they’re loved the most.

Choose books filled with songs And classic nursery rhymes, To sing to your babyBefore bedtime arrives.

They’ll recognise your voice, And learn to make new sounds,And mimic your expressionsFrom laughter to frowns.

And while they might be too littleTo help turn the page,They’ll nonetheless be learningFrom the earliest possible age.

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Top Tips• Talk to your baby about the pictures as you turn each page and wonder aloud what might happen (ask and answer your own questions).

• Black and white picture books are great for newborns, as their eyes can’t yet see colour very well.

• Keep books in your nappy bag and child’s play area, so your baby associates these with playtime.

• Choose books with sounds, textured panels, or flaps to lift, as babies love these!

Top PickBaby Animals Feel and Find Fun

Find these books and more at kidsbookclub.com.au!

Bright colours and animals Good rhythm and rhyme,Help hold a toddler’s interest(At least for a short time!)

Featuring everyday itemsLike car, dog, and rabbit,Books help children learnAbout the world that they inhabit.

Try making animal noisesWhen reading about the zoo,And encourage your little oneTo try making these sounds too.

Your child’s growing fingersCan now help hold the book,And point to the next animalIf you ask them to look.

They can also open flapsAnd find things hiding there too,Which might be the prompt For a game of peek-a-boo!

Top Tips• Snuggle in with your child, and let them help you hold the book and turn the pages.

• Choose books with lift-and-see panels, or that feature lots of different sounds.

• Encourage your child to copy the sounds of the words and noises in your book.

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Find these books and more at kidsbookclub.com.au!

Top PickDear Zoo

As their personalities developAnd their curiosity grows,Books are great for explaining The things kids need to know!

There are books for letters and coloursAnd for numbers and counting, And for answering all the questionsThat we’re sure will keep on mounting!

You child’s new language skills, Can be strengthened with rhyme,And by repeating key questionsLike “Where’s Spot hiding this time?”

Choose simple storiesWith repeated words and phrases, And your child will soon learnWhen it’s their turn to say them.

And don’t forget about your booksWhen it comes time to play,Try drawing or dressing up asYour favourite character from that day.

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Top Tips• Ask your child to identify objects and animals that you’ve read about, both at home and on your outings.

• Take books with you on outdoor adventures too. They can sometimes provide a much needed distraction!

• Incorporate your child’s favourite characters into your playtime activities, perhaps through drawing or role play.

Find these books and more at kidsbookclub.com.au!

Top PickSpot goes to School

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Top Tips• Ask your child to choose a story to read each day, and spend at least 20 minutes reading with each other.

• Encourage your child to make up their own stories, perhaps based on their favourite characters.

• Talk about the similarities and differences between the stories and your own life and home.

Now comes the ageWhen imaginations start to soar,There are new friends to meetAnd new worlds to explore.

Books of humour and wit, Of adventure and make-believeWill help show your childJust how fun reading can be!

Inspire creative thinkingBy pausing after each text, And ask them to imagineWhat they think might happen next.

You can also encourage themTo “read” books on their own,And to tell you what happens In the stories they now know.

There’s nothing too fantastic,Ridiculous or absurdWhen it comes to imaginationSo encourage every word!

Top PickThere’s a Sea in my Bedroom

Find these books and more at kidsbookclub.com.au!

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Top PickStanley Paste

Now as your childBegins preparing for schoolThey’ll find things on their ownThey think are interesting – and cool!

Maybe they’ll developA fascination with outer-space,You could explore the stars together,From a quiet, cosy place.

As their horizons keep expanding, Their stories grow more complex,To encompass the diversity Of the world that they reflect.

And as you keep readingYou might notice something strange,Perhaps your child becomes impatient, For you to hurry, and turn the page.

Because after reading so much together Your child will have begun to accrueThe literacy skills they need, To start reading books to you!

Find these books and more at kidsbookclub.com.au!

Top Tips• Sound out the letters and words as you read together - your child might recognise many letters in the alphabet soon and be able to play ‘I Spy...’ and other alphabet games.

• Practice the alphabet by writing short letters to each other, and “posting” them in your mailbox.

• Visit your local library to find more books on the topics your child is especially interested in.

Help build your child’s early literacy skills by joining the Kids’ Book Club. Each month they’ll receive a great new book, chosen by our panel of early literacy specialists for your child’s age and stage of development.

But that’s just the start of this story. Every membership to the Kids’ Book Club also supports United Way Australia’s early literacy programs for children in disadvantaged Australian communities. Your child’s membership means other children will improve their early literacy skills too, through our program that delivers quality, age appropriate children’s books (just like the ones your child will receive), supports parents to increase shared reading at home, and facilitates community activities that spread the love of reading far and wide.

Give your child a head start in school and a lifelong love of books!

1. More books at home = the foundation for your child to succeed in school.2. Your child’s membership enables kids in disadvantaged Australian communities to access an early literacy program that gives them a great start in life too!3. Your child will love receiving a new book in the post each month.4. They’ll also love the time spent discovering new worlds with you.5. You can be confident that each book is hand picked by early literacy specialists to inspire, engage and educate children, from newborns to 8 years old.6. The monthly “book buddy” postcard sent with your child’s book will help build their social awareness.7. 90% of brain development occurs by the age of 5.

www.kidsbookclub.com.au1300 780 345

great reasons to join the Kids’ Book Club

GIVE YOUR CHILD A HEAD START IN SCHOOL, AND IN LIFE!

This booklet was produced by United Way Australia, with reading tips from our literacy and early learning experts to help parents and young children maximise the benefits of shared reading. Thank you to ExxonMobil Australia for financially supporting this booklet.

In Australia today, almost 1 in 4 children start school without the basic skills needed to learn to read. Sadly, most of these kids will never catch up.

The good news is that reading daily to a child from an early age dramatically improves their literacy skills, and their chances to succeed both in school and later life.

That’s why United Way Australia is expanding early literacy programs to disadvantaged children and communities across the country.

ENSURING EVERY CHILD CAN READ, LEARN AND SUCCEED IN LIFE.