Books For Kids : The Right Book At The Right Age

Facilitate your kids improve their reading abilities by getting them appropriate books. These are books that are not too easy or too difficult and the stories as well as illustrations are relevant for their age and abilities.

A good book needs to be one that they enjoy reading too. Some of the publishers will indicate which age and reading level the book is suitable for. Here are the basic principles that should guide you in selecting books for your kids

1. The intended purpose of the book:

The reading intentions range from bed time reading, reading for fun or learning more about a particular topic.

2. What are your child’s interests?

From toys, to animals and cars, books will be more interesting if they are about what your child loves. Also consider topics related to current events such as joining school for the first time or hospital visits.

3. Quality

It is very disappointing to go through a story book and realize the stories do not make any sense. Other than the grammatical errors, they also lack flow and depth. If you want to cultivate the right values in your child as well as turn them into good readers, ensure to invest in good quality books.

4. Reviews and recommendations

When looking for a book, look at its author. What have they have written before and are they reputable? Almost everyone can write a child’s book but not everyone can write a quality child’s book. The other thing you need to look at is what other parents and teachers have to say about the book. Take advantage of online book reviews as wellas recommendations from friends and family if you want a collection of quality books.

5. Will they be able to understand the book?

This should include being able to remember what the book was about as well as to pronounce most of the words in the book.

Do you know child’s reading ability?

Start reading to your child early and by the time they are between 3 they will try to hold the book correctly. Before they turn 5, they can also open it up and turn the pages without tearing the corners. As you read their favorite book, you will realize that they can remember some of the words in the book. At this stage, keep the books nonfiction and related to what your child loves to do or play with. Good books for this age are those with a lot of imagery and colours. As time goes by, they will even try and guess how the story will go.

When they can read on their own, consider a book that is a bit below their reading level. This will give them more confidence in reading. For the books that are a bit above their level of reading consider reading aloud for them.

How to know your child’s reading level.

If you regularly read to your child, then you have a fairly good idea of the books she can read and the one’s she can’t. Separate those you are sure she can read easily from those she can’t. A book she can easily read is one that she can read more than 95% of the words without help. Not being able to read an average of 3 words for every page is good. If they are more, then the book might be too hard for her. If they are less, maybe it is too easy. Also note down the reading level indicated at the back of the books.

RL: 2.1 for instance mean that the book is ideal for a second grader.

Teachers will use different tools to determine a child’s ability to read. Ask your child’s teacher what their abilities are to help you determine which books to get at home. Get your kids books of a lower reading level for at home reading. Explore different assessment tools, have your child take an online test or download or print an assessment if you are still not sure which books to get.

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