Boost Your Child’s Development Through The Power of Reading, illustrations and Rhyme.

G’day, Josh here!

I have fond memories of bedtime as a child. Growing up, my old man left for work before I woke each morning, only to return just before dinner time each evening. He was an earth mover, driving a digger to put a roof over his family’s heads and food on the table. These long hours at work meant little quality family time during the week, however, he made up for this by reading a bedtime story to me every night. On reflection, that must have been a huge effort and sometimes, exhausted, he would fall asleep in my bed while I shook him in an attempt to hear more. The reason he made the time for this was to instil a passion for reading in his children, however, what he managed to do was far beyond that! It turns out that reading is proven to be a great bonding activity (possibly why I nearly teared up writing this intro…) and it also has numerous developmental benefits.

Fast forward to 2023, my dad’s plan worked and I am trying to pass on the same gift to my two young boys. It worked so well that my passion for writing and stories has led me to author my own rhyming children’s picture books. In this blog post, I’ll be sharing some of the key benefits of reading to your child, with a focus on the power of rhyme and illustration in kid’s stories.

THE IMPORTANCE OF READING ALOUD TO YOUR CHILD

Reading aloud to your child is one of the best things you can do to support their development. Not only does reading aloud expose your child to new vocabulary and ideas, but it also helps to develop their language skills and comprehension. The Australian Childhood Foundation emphasises the importance of reading aloud to children, stating that it “helps to develop their listening, memory, and attention skills, and improves their ability to concentrate”.

Reading aloud to your child also helps to develop their imagination and creativity. As children listen to stories, they are transported to different worlds and introduced to new characters and concepts. This can inspire their own creativity and encourage them to think differently.

But perhaps most importantly, reading aloud to your child helps to establish a love of books and learning. If a child grows up with a love of books and reading, they are more likely to become lifelong learners and achieve success in school and beyond.

THE POWER OF RHYME IN CHILDREN’S STORIES

Going back to my dad, he loved Dr Suess! Dr Suess’s rhyming, rhythm and creativity captured his imagination and meant that my bookshelf held a healthy number of Dr Suess and other rhyming books. Turns out, one of the most powerful elements of children’s stories is rhyme. Not only is rhyme fun and engaging for children, but it also has numerous benefits for their development. In fact, according to Dr. Sarah Kuppen, a chartered developmental psychologist, children love rhyming texts and will actively choose them over other books.

First and foremost, rhyme also supports children’s literacy development, helping them to learn about sounds, syllables, and word patterns. It also helps children to develop their phonological awareness – the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words. Kuppen also says “studies have shown that in the early years, a child’s rhyme awareness is predictive of the ease with which they will learn to read”. This is a key skill for reading and writing, and is developed through exposure to rhyming words and patterns.

Rhyme also helps to develop children’s memory skills. When children hear a word that rhymes with a word they already know, they are more likely to remember the new word. This is because the rhyme provides a memory cue that helps the child to recall the word later.

THE POWER OF ILLUSTRATION IN CHILDREN’S STORIES

Illustrations in children’s books play a crucial role in helping children to understand and engage with the story. Not only do illustrations provide visual cues that support children’s comprehension, but they also bring the story to life in a way that text alone cannot.

Illustrations can also help to develop children’s observation and vocabulary skills. As children look at illustrations, they are encouraged to notice details and describe what they see. This can help to expand their vocabulary and improve their ability to communicate.

Illustrations also play a key role in capturing children’s interest and imagination. The colourful and imaginative illustrations in my books “Bazza Has a Stack” bring the story to life. Often, I receive pictures and clips of babies and toddlers flicking through the pages by themselves, as the illustrations and characters capture their attention. Illustrations make kid’s books extremely special, engaging and enjoyable, even for those who aren’t up to reading words yet.

CONCLUSION

Reading to your child is one of the best things you can do to support their development. Not only does it expose them to new vocabulary and ideas, but it also helps to develop their language skills and comprehension. By incorporating rhyme and illustration in children’s stories, you can make reading an even more fun and engaging activity for your child. And, as a bonus, you’ll also be supporting their phonological awareness, memory, and literacy development.

In my books “Bazza Has a Stack” and “Bazza Braves the Waves” I’ve combined the power of rhyme and illustration to create a fun and engaging story that also teaches children about the importance of safety, specifically wearing a helmet when riding a bike and the importance of staying calm in stressful situations. These books celebrate Australian fauna and flora and are a perfect addition to any child’s library.

So, next time you’re looking for a fun and interactive way to bond with your child and support their development, grab a book and start reading aloud. Not only will you be creating precious memories like the ones I still hold dear, but you’ll also be giving your child the tools they need for a lifetime of learning and success – Josh Appleby

References

Australian Childhood Foundation. (n.d.). Why reading to your child is important. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.childhood.org.au/for-families/parenting-resources/why-reading-to-your-child-is-important/

Kuppen, S. (2018, November 12). Rhymes in early childhood. Booktrust.org.uk. https://www.booktrust.org.uk/news-and-features/features/2018/november/rhymes-in-early-childhood/