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You’ll find sharing books together is a great way to bond with your son or daughter. Reading also helps your child’s language development and listening skills when you talk about the story and ask questions. Large print books can help a child with mild to moderate vision loss discover the world of books and make tracking the words easier.
Infants and toddlers
You’ll find sharing books together is a great way to bond with your son or daughter. Reading also helps your child’s language development and listening skills when you talk about the story and ask questions. Don’t forget that sitting side-by-side listening to audio books together is another way to introduce stories to your child with vision challenges.
Large print books can help a child with mild to moderate vision loss discover the world of books. These books have big print and offer high contrast between the words and the page to make tracking the words easier. Visit your library and ask for the large print book section.
Children who have little or no sight may learn to read Braille. Braille books have raised “letters.”
Tips for reading with your infant or toddler
- Each time you read to your baby, you are helping your child’s brain to develop. Reading aloud to your child allows him to hear your voice and listen to spoken words. Your child is also more likely to ask questions and learn about the world around him. So — you’ve planted the seed to reading that will stay with your child throughout his life.
- Since younger children have short attention spans, try reading for a few minutes at a time at first. Then build up the time you read together. Your child will soon see reading time as both fun time and learning time!
Here are some things you can try:
- Sit your child next to you. If your child has low vision, make sure there is plenty of light to help him see the page.
- Buy books or borrow books from the library that have textures your child can touch.
- Help your toddler feel pop-up or raised objects you name in the book.
- Read aloud. Talk about the pictures and read the text.
- Find books that have rhymes. Clap your hands and help your baby clap along to the rhythm.
- Find books that have buttons your child can press that have sounds.
Preschool and school-age children
Remember, when you read to your child often and combine reading time with cuddle and play time, your child will link books with fun times together.
Here are some things you can try:
- Sit your child next to you. If your child has low vision, make sure there is plenty of light to help your child see the page.
- Read aloud. Talk about the pictures and read the text.
- Find large print books on topics that interest your child, such as books on animals or sports.
- Find books that have buttons to press that make sounds. Buy audio books that your child can start or stop by pressing a button.
- Find Braille books if your child reads Braille.
- Praise your child’s efforts at reading!
Source: readingrockets.org