什麼才是適合孩子看的書?
July 29, 2015
只要父母時常注意一些，就會清楚孩子希望閱讀始什麼書。從嚴格意義上來說，不存在讓孩子非讀不可的書，只存在孩子們想要閱讀的書。因此，只要是孩子想閱讀的書，都可以。這樣的話，孩子們會毫不猶豫地開始閱讀。如果父母認為必需讓孩子看一些世界名著或偉人傳記的話，反而會給孩子帶來負擔。在讓孩子閱讀自己希望他們閱讀的書籍時，家長們的態度會在無意識下變得强硬，而孩子最討厭被强迫做一些事情。這樣做可能令孩子討厭閱讀。
Source: 讓孩子愛上閱讀， 多湖輝著
悅讀三大法寶
July 21, 2015
1. 閱讀要盡早
把一個孩子放在正常環境裡，沒有人專門教他說話，他會說話；把一個孩子放進正常的環境裡，沒有人教他閱讀，他就不會閱讀。神經學家認為，大腦中沒有閱讀中心，它是在很多區域在有任務時，抽離原來的工作，合力來完成閱讀任務，所以要加以練習才會熟練。因此，會閱讀其實是件不容易的事，這事愈早做愈好。錯過機會，腦部各個部位合力工作的狀態便不易形成，出現閱讀困難。
2. 不怕反覆讀
為什麼孩子喜歡聽同一個故事、看同一本書呢? 研究者認為，是因為他們還未掌握到新資訊，所以會一而再、再而三地重複讀，從每次的閱讀中去建構更多的神經元連結，引發更多的背景知識，從而達到理解。凰複閱讀一般發生在低齡幼兒身上。父母每一次的閱讀，都會增加孩子大腦中神經迴路的連接。
3, 投其所好
研究發現，男生與女生選書的偏好不同。女生喜歡故事類小說，男生喜歡非故事類、真實世界可用到的知識，如歷史人物傳記、如何製造汽車等，因此在引導入門時，男生女生讀的書可以不一樣。
資料來源：《好孩子：三分天注定，七分靠教育》，洪蘭著
為孩子創造愛上閱讀環境的5個重點
September 5, 2012
1. 孩子最喜歡的角落
準備孩子書本專用的矮書櫃/書架，在房間角落設置閱讀區。
2. 書架準備5本精選的書本
放置過多書本，小朋友會亂丟或選擇困難。以最多5本為限，並隨季節或節慶更換書本。
3. 定出家人的閱讀守則
決定閱讀時間
-比方說爸爸是早上，媽媽是晚上，決定好閱讀時間，如此一來，孩子會十分期待閱讀時間到來。
決定信號
-閱讀時間開始和結束的時候，以歌曲或音樂盒來通知孩子，用信號為閱讀時間做出區隔，孩子的專注力也會提高。
4. 閱讀時關掉多餘的聲音
尤其是年幼孩子難以專注，因此電視和廣播最好關掉。
5. 閱讀時與孩子朝同一方向
讓孩子靠坐自己懷中，緊貼一塊，孩子精神上也能更平靜。
Source: 共讀繪本，教出全人格的孩子， 山本直美著
孩子年齡與書籍的選擇
July 15, 2015
從3歲開始，孩子就對花花綠綠的各種圖書感興趣。尤其是當他知道很多兒歌、童話、故事來自圖書時，就更愛纏著爸媽給他念書，甚至自己看書。這時候，他已經能夠思考、記憶簡單的故事情節，而且特別喜歡動物故事或與自己生活環境相關的故事，對大人的故事不感興趣。家長可選一些兒歌、童話、反映孩子生活的圖書，而且書中一定要有精美的彩色插圖，以吸引孩子的注意力。
4歲的孩子基本已進入幼稚園。他的生活面比以前大很多，唱歌、遊戲、舞蹈、畫畫等活動吸引著他，不同性格的小朋友互相交往、玩耍也使他感到很有意思。這時候，需要培養孩子的群體意識觀點，使小朋友團結友愛、合作互助，另一方面，要滿足孩子各種求知慾，並發展其想像力和創造力。家長可選一些關於自然界、社會、生活中各種事物因果的書籍。同時，也需要一些激發想像力的作品。
5到6歲的孩子喜歡簡單完整的故事。故事主角性格鮮明、有正義感。故事要引人入勝，插圖不一定要與生活中的事物一模一樣，要有所變形和誇張。孩子可自行挑選圖書，家長可經常帶小朋友到書店或圖書館，增加孩子的閱讀積極性。
Source: 蒙特梭利教育法-讓孩子從小玩出智慧, 晨曦博士
故事和現實的差距
July 2, 2015
兒童圖書的主角很多時候都是動物，而這些動物常被擬人化，賦予人的行為、情緒和特質。有研究發現，這些圖書會窒礙小朋友對動物的認知，令小朋友對真實動物的特性有錯誤的理解。(小狗會焗蛋糕?小貓會開火車?小兔愛浸溫泉?)故此，小朋友宜涉獵不同類型的書本，除了圖畫故事外，也要接觸符合“現實"的自然科學和動物書籍，以填補故事與現實之間的差距。
Source: http://www.parentherald.com/articles/4328/20140325/kids-books-featuring-animals-with-human-traits-lead-to-less-learning-of-the-natural-world.htm
培養孩子讀寫，共讀比日常交談更奏效
July 9, 2015
兒童圖書用的字彙一般較我們的日常用語豐富，故此，父母常與子女共讀，可助孩子建立充實的字彙庫，也有助培養其日後自行閱讀的能力。在促進讀寫能力方面，閱讀較普通對話交談更為有效。另外，父母講故事可訓練孩子的聆聽，好的聆聽者也將是好的讀書人。研究發現，在親子共讀的時間中，孩子有95%的時間都專注於圖書的圖畫，原因是一般兒童圖書的字體太小和字型太花巧，出版社倘能用上較簡樸的字體和較大的字型，或可令孩子更專注於文字上。
Source: http://edsource.org/…/study-says-reading-aloud-to-chi…/82045
伴讀爸媽各有長處
June 29, 2015
媽媽與小朋友閱讀，傾向照本宣科，爸爸則與孩子有較多對答交流，說一些書本引伸的話題。報道指出，有質素的爸爸伴讀，可促進孩子的學習和發展。孩子於幼兒園的集中力、數理和態度行為也較佳。這對男孩子而言尤甚。男孩子傾向以爸爸、祖父等男性長輩為模仿對象，倘若爸爸可作一個閱讀模楷，孩子也較會喜歡學習和閱讀。
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/relationships/fatherhood/10882270/Are-fathers-better-at-bedtime-stories-than-mothers.html
芝麻街有助學前教育
June 25, 2015
芝麻街迷好消息。美國研究發現，小朋友觀看芝麻街電視節目，有助其識字、數數字和與人合作等方面發展。研究指出，看芝麻街的小朋友，即使不上學前班，認知程度與上了學前班的孩子無異。這對男孩子、較低收入家庭有更顯著的效果。(當然，這研究是針對美國的教育制度和社會環境而言。)常聽見家長談論美語世界和Oxford Path, 這些教材動輒數萬元，是否真的物有所值?芝麻街有免費觀看，其教材書本價格相宜(至少不會綑綁銷售)，monsters 可愛吸引、各有性格，歌曲悅耳動聽(不時邀請不同歌手、樂隊、名人與monsters和唱)，故事價值正面樂觀，絕對是家長和孩子們的上佳選擇。
Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/sesame-street-and-its-surprisingly-powerful-effects-on-how-children-learn/2015/06/07/59c73fe4-095c-11e5-9e39-0db921c47b93_story.html
讓孩子靠坐父母懷中的好處
讀繪本的時候，大家都是用什麼的姿勢呢？我建議可以讓孩子靠坐家長懷中的姿勢。不是面對面，而是面朝同一方向。它最大的好處是讓孩子的精神穩定。孩子最喜歡與爸媽身體接觸，這讓孩子感到安心。
其實這姿勢在管教孩子的時候也有效果。當不管說上多少次都沒有用，或正煩躁不安的時候，家長難免變得情緒化。這時候，可試試握住孩子的手，或摟住孩子再說話。這樣一來，就能冷靜說話給孩子聽。同時，你這樣做之後，孩子也會乖乖聽從父母的話，因為幼小的孩子最怕就是遭到家長冷漠對待。被父母忽視、排斥，會對他們造成莫大壓力。若處於不安狀態，不管說什麼，孩子都不可能聽得進去。
資料來源：《共讀繪本，教出全人格的孩子》山本直美著
幼兒閱讀若以學拼習和識字為首要目的，可能會造成反效果
June 15, 2015
兒童閱讀圖書，不僅能滿足他們的好奇心、求知慾，幫助他們認識花花世界，同時還是促進他們心理良好發展的重要途徑。可是，有的家長並沒有認識到這點，他們讓孩子閱讀圖書的目的就是長知識、學識字、認拼音，過分追求文化知識的學習。這種想法是片面的，方法不當會挫傷孩子閱讀圖書的積極性，造成事與願違的結果。
在家庭中，家長的首要任務是適當地培養孩子閱讀的慾望，激發起閱讀的興趣，這樣就可以逐漸培養孩子的感知能力、理解能力、語言表達能力，形成良好的閱讀習慣，促進孩子心理的良好發展。
來源:《蒙特梭利教育法，讓孩子從小玩出智慧》
台灣動畫繪本
June 1, 2015
台灣文化部旗下的「兒童文化館」網站，設有「繪本花園」，內有許多精彩的圖畫書，以語音動畫的形式呈現。動畫繪本定期更新，免費欣賞，每本繪本還有導賞、延伸閱讀和遊戲區。當然，旁述是用溫柔的台灣國語。
繪本花園
http://children.moc.gov.tw/garden/
聽唱兒歌，也值得推薦
http://children.moc.gov.tw/song/
2歲的小朋友會
May 26, 2015
·自行選取書本
·重複閱讀
·重複你說過的短句和字彙
·提問，如“這是什麼呢？”
·喜愛到圖書館
Via Raising Readers
2歲的突破
May 20, 2015
發現小朋友多在2歲左右便在以下方面有突破:
1. 開始分清楚“你”和“我”。之前會說“媽媽抱你呀~”(即媽媽抱我呀~)，“俾啲你”(即俾啲我)和“媽媽幫你啦”(即媽媽幫我啦)之類。
2. 開始辨認到不同顏色。之前會亂說一通，黃色說是紫色、紅色說是藍色、藍色說是黃色。你會有一刻懷疑，小朋友是不是色盲呢……
3. 開始按次序數1至10。之前是1、2、3、4、5、7、8、9、10，中間不明就裡地跳了幾個數字。(英文字母更過份，唱abcdefg便到xyz了)。
當然每位小朋友的發展步伐都不一樣，但2歲開始的學習和認知能力，確實令父母雀躍和驚訝。
圖畫書的神奇功效
May 7, 2015
實驗證明，幼兒聽故事時，如果有相應的插圖，其作用是非常神奇的。假如沒有插圖，幼兒理解能力為100%，那麼有圖畫之後，幼兒的理解能力就會提高: 3至4歲半為212%，4歲半到6歲為123%，可見年齡愈小的孩子，通過圖畫來欣賞故事的收益愈大。
Source: 孩子一生的閱讀計劃
印刷書VS電子書
May 11, 2015
根據美國研究機構Pew，90%的受訪父母都十分重視與孩子閱讀印刷書本(而不是電子書)。他們認為，印刷書本有助增加感觀刺激，孩子可親自揭頁翻書、欣賞書本的構圖顏色、感受凹凸設計，從而培養閱讀習慣。有父母認為，他們拿著平板電腦看書，孩子會認為他們在上網、打機、玩twitter，較難樹立一個閱讀榜樣。
Source: Pew & First Book
如何建立家庭圖書館?
May 4, 2015
建立家庭圖書館，讓孩子重視書本的價值，令孩子更愛閱讀。
1. 找一個合適的書架。可用紙皮箱或木盒改造裝飾，或直接在家中的書櫃騰出位置。
2. 擺放兒童書架於安全、開放的位置，讓孩子可自由挑選圖書。
3. 把圖書略作整理分類，讓孩子更易找尋書本。
4. 可為每本書本製作名貼，令孩子對書本更有歸屬感。(免費英文名貼範本：http://www.myhomelibrary.org/bookplates.html)
5. 到圖書館借閱的圖書也可陳列於書架上，並騰出專有空間，避免與自己的書本混淆。
如何為家庭圖書館尋找書本：
1. 購買
2. 與社區群組、朋友或同學交換圖書
3. 鼓勵家人和朋友以書本替代其他東西作為(生日)禮物
Source: Reading Rockets
孩子為何撕書？
May 5, 2015
孩子越小越不知道愛惜書，常常會把書搞髒、撕破，把書弄丟，但他們並不是有意識地破壞書，也不是厭倦書了，而是在玩，就像堆積木一樣，家長可以告訴孩子不要撕書，要愛惜書，不看時要把書放好或交給爸媽。只要孩子喜歡閱讀時，就會經常翻看，家長在旁共同閱讀後，孩子一般不會再撕書，除非孩子太小或者生氣。因此，關鍵是使孩子喜歡書，把書當成朋友、夥伴。
Source: 蒙特梭利教育法-讓孩子從小玩出智慧
Raising kids who love to read--Ideas of getting started
July 20, 2015
Raising kids who love to read: Ideas of getting started (小朋友愛上閱讀的竅門)
1. Keep books handy (讓書本成為家庭一分子，隨處可見，隨時翻閱)
Books on the bedside table show that reading is a natural part of the bedtime routine.
Trips to the library are an adventure and can bring in new supply each week.
2. Choose books your child likes (選擇小朋友喜愛的書本)
Find those good books that children want to hear over and over.
3. Set a special time for reading (編配閱讀時段)
4, Read at bedtime (睡前閱讀)
Reading at bedtime works wonders.
5. Don't panic if you miss a day (持之以恆、再接再厲)
Good habits are worth working for and anything of lasting value takes work.
6. Read 15 minutes (每天閱讀最少15分鐘)
When you establish book time on regular schedule, your child won't let you forget it.
7. Talk about the stories as you read (閱讀延伸話題)
The talk surrounding the book is important.
8. Get others in on the reading act (讓其他人講故事)
Source: Read to me: raising kids who love to read by Bernice E. Cullinan
Developing baby's pre-reading skills--signs of success
June 17,2015
There are signs that will tell you if your baby is developing pre-reading skills and if your read-aloud activities are working. Here are a few.
1. Pretending
If your baby pretends to read a book, even without actually understanding the contents this is a great sign. It shows that he knows what a book is all about.
2. Recognition
If your little one seems to recognise the story from the cover of the book this shows that he started to make connections between the pictures and what the story is about. He has an appreciation of the story and how you read it.
3. Vocalisation
When you are reading the book, if your baby joins in by babbling or making noises, you know that he is starting to grasp communication and appreciates what reading aloud sounds like.
4. Connectivity
Over time your baby might start to make connections between the pictures in the book and other objects. He will begin to understand hat an image correlates to something real, and prehaps something that he encounters every day.
5. Mimicking
You know that your attempts at reading aloud are working when you see your little one trying to read aloud to others. Older children are great role models and babies will try and copy them, so get older siblings and friends to read to your baby.
Via Reading to your baby by Alison L R Davies
Read together 20 minutes every day
June 8, 2015
Children need to see and hear hundreds of books before they are ready to learn how to read. Families that read with their child just 20 minutes a day (for 5 or 10 minutes at a time when your child is interested) are building essential pre-reading skills, plus strong and loving relationships.
It is also important to have frequent conversations with your child. Reading is about language. Immerse your child in it. Talk often. Listen, and ask your child questions that require more than a one or two word response.
101 Books Every Child Should Hear Before Kindergarten:
http://readingfoundation.org/…/u…/READY-to-read-Brochure.pdf
Source: The Children's Reading Foundation
Reading Tips for Parents of Babies
April 30, 2015
*Snuggle up with a book
When you hold your baby close and look at a book together, your baby will enjoy the snuggling and hearing your voice as well as the story.
*Choose baby-friendly books
Books with bright and bold or high-contrast illustrations are easier for young babies to see, and will grab their attention.
*Keep books where your baby can reach them
Make sure books are as easy to reach, hold, and look at as toys.
*Talk with your baby — all day long
Describe the weather or which apples you are choosing at the grocery.
*Develop a daily routine (and make reading a part of it)
Routines can soothe a baby, and let a baby learn to predict what will happen next.
*Sing, Read, Repeat
Read favorite stories and sing favorite songs over and over again.
Source: Reading Rockets
Reading tips for an inquisitive infant (ages 0-1)
July 1, 2015
-Choose sturdy books with bright, colorful pictures and simple words. Books with rhythm rhyme and silly sounds are great!
-Read with gusto and delight! Point at the pictures, make silly sounds, sing songs and do finger plays (like “Itsy Bitsy Spider”). Remember, even squirmy worms may be listening.
Reading tips for curious toddler (ages 1-2)
-Books with terrific illustrations or real photographs can help your child learn colors, letters, and numbers. Relatable stories-about bath time, bedtime, a new sibling-are a great choice.
-You are the best ad for reading-so sell, sell, sell! Make reading aloud part of your routine and it will soon become a treasured part of your day. Bedtime is a great time to read aloud.
Reading tips for growing toddler (ages 2-3)
-Books with no words, only pictures, can jumpstart your child’s imagination. Or, how about some stories that tackle issues of fear, conflict, love and safety? Books can be a great platform for families to discuss values and character.
-Encourage your child to participate! Let him or her choose the books and help turn the pages. Questions are a must! Ask them, answer them and enjoy discussing stories you like.
Reading tips for a cool preschooler (ages 3-4)
-Choose playful stories that tickle your little one’s emerging funny bone-you might just laugh, too! Serious books about diversity and acceptance, or complicated stories with heroes and conflict, will also draw your little reader in.
-Pictures are one of the best parts of many children’s books. Make sure your child can see them as you read, and linger over them and talk about them.
Reading tips for a rising kindergartener (ages 4-5)
-Get your little scholar ready for the big day with books about kindergarten and school.
-Add some non-fiction books to your reading- science, nature and biographies are great choices.
-It’s also a fine time to introduce books that use rebus (that’s pictures for words).
-Provide a variety of books- even some above your child’s level and below- and see what happens!
-Take your time; read slowly enough to allow for reflection and questions.
via http://readaloud.org/imaginationbooklist.html
*Babies are never too young to enjoy sharing books*
April 26, 2015
Top tips for sharing books with your child
1) Sit close together when sharing a book and encourage your child to hold the book themselves and/or turn the pages.
2) Don’t be afraid to use funny voices. And don’t be afraid to sing either.
3) When you talk to your child about what’s going on in a book, give them plenty of time to respond.
4) Point to the pictures and relate them to something your child knows
5) Using a puppet to act out a story can help your child to understand what's going on and learn how to pretend play.
6) Make it fun! It doesn’t matter how you read with a child, as long as you both enjoy the time together!
Source: Bookstart UK
Useful book finder for baby, toddler and preschooler (highly recommended):
http://www.bookstart.org.uk/books/
Let books be books
May 9, 2015
英國早前發起一場Let books be books 運動，要求書商不要出版一些性別定型的兒童圖書(如粉紅封面的bedtime stories for girls )。發起者僅是一名8歲的女孩，她認為女孩不一定要喜歡看王子公子，男孩也不必一定要看海盜、機械人和超人，兒童不應因為性別而局限閱讀的題材。運動引起積極反響，有數家書商已答應停出有關書籍。
除了let books be books, 還有let toys be toys運動，背後的理念亦是提倡不要以性別劃分玩具的對象……但香港似乎先要搞一場let children be children……
Reading Tips for Parents of Toddlers
April 30, 2015
*Don't expect your toddler to sit still for a book
Toddlers need to move, so don't worry if they act out stories or just skip, romp, or tumble as you read to them.
*Choose engaging books
Books featuring animals or machines invite movement and making sounds.
*Keep reading short, simple, and often
Toddlers frequently have shorter attention spans than babies.
*Ask questions
Take time to listen to your toddler's answers. Toddlers have strong opinions and interesting ideas about the world. Encourage your toddler to tell you what he or she thinks.
*Play to their favorites
Read favorite stories again and again. Seek out books about things your toddler especially likes — trains, animals, the moon. These books may extend a toddler's attention span and build enthusiasm for reading.
Source: Reading Rockets