Know your child's interests at each stage of development. This will help you select appropriate reading materials. Below are some general guidelines in selecting books for the different age groups.
From birth to one year
- Books with rhythmic language, rhymes and songs.
- Board/plastic /cloth books with bright coloured (start with black, white and red for the very young), simple and clear pictures.
- Books with pictures of familiar objects, eg. balls, animals, food or books about daily life.
Toddles : 1 - 3 years old
- Simple, repetitive story lines and pictures.
- Nursery rhymes and body movements, eg."I'm a little teapot...".
- Simple concepts of numbers and sizes.
- Books with simple activities like looking under the blanket, behind doors eg. Where's Spot? series.
- Books with few words on each page, eg. alphabet and concept books or books that relate to familiar experiences or characters.
- Participative books with surprises, eg. lift-the-flaps, pop-ups, touch & feel.
- Recommended books : Peekaboo Pets! by Emily Bolam; The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
Preschoolers : 4-6 years old
- Picture books that illustrate concepts, repetitive phrases or 'predictable' books which children can anticipate text and join in.
- Books that tackle everyday experiences such as first day at school or fear of the dark.
- Simple concepts on immediate environment such as interacting with family members, occupations, animals and weather.
- Books with advanced activities such as tying, shoelaces or buttoning or zipping up coats.
- Picture books that encourage children to express the pictures in their own words.
- Information books about daily things or humor
- Recommended books : Owen by Kevin Henkes; Guess How Much I Love You by Sam Mcbratney.
*The above article is extracted from "Mum & Me-Parenting education" (Original Source from Ms Zubaidah Mohsen, Senior Librarian, Public Library Service, National Library Board of Singapore)