Get kids reading this Christmas

Reading books is an important part of childhood and gives your child valuable skills that will help them throughout their life.

It's never too early to start either. In fact there are a wide variety of books designed for very young children. Amazon has a huge number of books suitable for all ages including a vast assortment for babies. On site you can even find children's books available as free downloads e.g. The classic The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson. Each day new books are offered as free downloads and free reading apps are available so if you don't own a kindle to read them on you can read them on your computer, ipad or iphone instead. Having a few books on your iphone or ipad can come in very useful in waiting rooms or on long journey's for keeping the kids busy.

Obviously you can get electronic versions of children's books from other book sellers too. Authors often use site like Smashwords for example to promote their books as free downloads. A quite search on the internet will find plenty of options. There are even sites that specialise in listing free download days and they usually have the listings categorised by genre so finding children's books shouldn't be too hard.

Rhyming text is particularly popular with children and has many benefits too. Not only is it fun to read but it also makes it easier for them to learn the story and you'll most likely find that they read along with you (even if they can't actually read yet). It encourages rhythm too which can be a help for learning music and dance.

A book is a special gift that will keep on giving. It also gives you an opportunity to spend some quiet, relaxed time with your child. With all the running around and busy schedules a few minutes struggled up together with a book is ideal for both of you and will help build the intimacy between you. Having a bedtime story for example is a great way to end the day. 

So when you're rushing around doing your Christmas shopping this year make sure a book is on their list for Santa. 

Maybe you could even get a copy of a Christmas classic like T'was the night before Christmas and make it a tradition to read it, the whole family together,  on Christmas Eve or grab a copy of The Snowman and have your children make up the story to go with the pictures.

This post is part of the Dear Santa Blog Hop