Regular reading aloud is a key activity in child development that expands vocabulary. Reading aloud helps children develop correct pronunciation and emphasis, which positively influences their speaking skills. In addition, reading aloud improves the ability to listen attentively. This becomes particularly evident when parents attempt to shorten a well-known story due to time constraints, and the child notices. Reading stories aloud not only fosters a positive attitude towards reading but also facilitates learning to read at school.
‍
Conversations are very beneficial
However, stories offer more than just the opportunity to read aloud. They also encourage conversations that help children think about the content, understand the story, bring in their own experiences, and talk about their feelings. Reading aloud and the subsequent conversations considerably expand vocabulary. Questions such as »What did you like best about the story?« or »Which character do you like the most and why?« help children better understand the motives and actions of the characters. To promote your child's empathy and social skills, you might ask: »Why do you think the bear is so sad? Can you think of something that might help the bear feel better?« Such questions make it easier for children to put themselves in the shoes of other characters and help them understand the feelings of their playmates at home or in kindergarten, as well as to respond to them empathetically.
‍
Pictures and repetition as learning aids
In addition to reading aloud, pictures also support language development and awaken children's curiosity. Therefore, take the time to look at the pictures together, discover interesting details and clarify unfamiliar words before reading a new story. Pause the reading aloud from time to time to encourage your child to continue the story according to their own imagination. For example, after reading aloud, consider together why the fox sneaks around the henhouse at night and what this means for the chickens. Don't hesitate to read the same story again on another day. The first time children hear the story, they usually concentrate on following the plot. When they hear the text again, they not only understand the story better but also expand their vocabulary. If your child loses interest in a story, choose another book that better matches their current preferences.

Reading aloud as a daily routine
Reading aloud regularly and talking about the stories together play a crucial role in children's development. Children not only love these close moments with their mother or father, but they also learn extensively through attentive listening and the novel experiences that books offer. Furthermore, examining pictures and engaging in discussions together broadens children's vocabulary. This is especially important since many children develop limited vocabularies due to limited reading experiences and conversational opportunities in early childhood. Visiting libraries further enriches these experiences and provides a wonderful opportunity to cultivate children's curiosity. By weaving reading aloud into your everyday family life, you give your child valuable moments of closeness and open doors to new knowledge. Seize the opportunity of reading aloud to nurture your child in every way possible.

This activity is about listening carefully and spotting little mistakes in funny sentences. The game brings joy, supports concentration, logical thinking, and attentive listening. Say to your child for example: »I brush my teeth with a spoon.« or »The dog is meowing loudly in the garden.« Your child listens carefully, spots the mistake, and says the sentence correctly. Do not give too many examples. Six are enough to keep it fun. If your child does not spot the mistake right away, give them some time and stay calm. Sometimes a small hint is all it takes to get children thinking: »Do you use a spoon or a toothbrush to clean your teeth?« or »Who meows, the dog or the cat?« Finally, the child comes up with two or three funny sentences. It sparks their imagination, and who knows, you might be in for a creative surprise or two. Here are some ideas:

For this game, you’ll need a soft ball. Sit on the floor facing each other, leaving a little space between you. Before you start, explain the game to your child using two or three simple examples. Each sentence begins with if and continues with then. »If I go to bed late, then I’m tired the next day. If I clean my shoes, then they’ll be clean again. If we go to the playground, then I’m happy.« Start the game with a sentence like: »If I set the table, then …« and roll or gently toss the ball to your child. Your child completes the sentence, for example: »… then we’ll have dinner soon.« After three or four rounds, switch roles. Now your child thinks of a new sentence that begins with if and throws the ball back to you. If your child doesn’t have an idea right away, a little prompt from you can help keep the fun going. This turns into a cheerful and playful conversation where your child learns to express their own thoughts as logical sentences. Here are some examples of sentence starters: