Books Books Books
We love books. Yes all of us at ZestLab team and our friends. From those of us that are avid daily readers to the ones that are 'I only read books on holiday' types, we all agree there is some warm connection with the thought of book.
We know the importance of reading to a child and for those of us in Education we commit a lot of time to promoting the sharing of books and stories at school and home. There is a lot of research that strongly evidences the fact that sharing books with a young child supports the development of language patterns, vocabulary, listening skills, understanding of story, a vehicle to explore and develop understanding of the world ... the list goes on. (We will definitely be coming back to this again!)
Reading is for pleasure: to escape, relax and enjoy but also for purpose. To find new information, to learn and understand. Reading is a key part of everyday life, from scrolling through our phones to reading the ingredients on food packets. We do it constantly and in many forms. So why then is there this warm connection with books when so much of our daily life is given to reading?
We wonder if it is right back to childhood memories of being read to; that time spent with a parent, grandparent, sibling even sitting listening to your teacher sharing a story. The feeling of calmness (most of the time....), of safety, closeness and warmth, with no expectations but of enjoyment. When you think of books, perhaps there is a part of you that connects back fondly to that time.
With that in mind, when you are sharing books with your child, you are not only supporting their development but of probably more importance you are building on that bond and relationship with your child. All of this contributing to your child's 'whole me'. Want to know about this - click here. (add link**)
So go on, read that extra story and give that extra time.
Want something new to read? - Here is a list of a few of the ZestLab's favourite books from classics to ones more recently published:
What the Ladybird Heard - Julia Donalson & Lydia Monks
The Tiger Who Came to Tea - Judith Kerr
Guess How Much I Love You- Sam McBratney
Hair Love - Matthew Cherry
Wocket in My Pocket and Green Eggs and Ham - Dr. Seuss
You Can't Eat a Princess - Gillian Rogerson
Stick Man - Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
You're Called What? - Kes Gray & Nikki Dyson
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family -Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K.Ali
Little Rabbit Foo Foo - Micheal Rosen
Goodnight Digger -Michelle Robinson & Nick East
Norman The Slug with the Silly Shell - Sue Hendra
Looking for more ideas - check out: BookTrust: Getting children reading | BookTrust
Coming soon into the ZestLab community will be Book Corner.....
You might also be interested in ZestLab Live story sessions - supporting you to use books to help your child's development.
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