Group: Get siblings reading together on Family Literacy Day
Research shows reading to children is hugely impactful in their development, especially in the early years.
Parents are often a child’s first teacher, but if an older sibling gets involved in reading to younger ones, the result can be profound – for everyone involved. Parents, in particular, get to enjoy watching kids bond over books.
There are many benefits to sibling reading time.
For the older sibling,:
- provides a chance to be a positive role model;
- builds self-confidence;
- can be an opportunity for added responsibility;
- extra practice reading; and
- builds vocabulary.
For the younger sibling:
- more time connecting with books;
- bonds with the older sibling and sees them in a leadership role;
- reading helps develop young brains; and
- see that reading is always important (at every age).
It really is a win-win for everyone. Not sure how to get started? Parent’s can help kick start siblings reading together by:
- establishing a routine or time for them to read together;
- helping with book selection;
- encouraging talk about the story, the pictures and the characters;
- suggesting the older sibling trying reading using different voices for different characters; and
- model good read-aloud practices by reading aloud yourself.
Literacy doesn’t stop at reading. Family Literacy Day is Jan. 27 and ABC Life Literacy Canada offers many great ideas on ways to engage in literacy activities as a family. Visit www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca for ideas and resources.
