Reading to young children

[Eileen101]

A bit of an AIBU but I'm pretty sure I'm not, but second guessing myself.

I've been told I should be reading books that my child can learn from... I guess from that easy factual books would be the ideal (I don't actually know as I didn't question it, just studiously ignored it).
I tend to read whatever my child wants me to read to them. That does invariably mean lots of Julia donaldson, Thomas the tank engine, Mr men, the farmyard tales series, brambly hedge, postman pat, literally whatever they pick from our extensive collection of (non factual) books or the library.
I was allowed to read whatever I wanted and given plenty of library access and left to it.

Am I taking the wrong approach here? Obviously I want my child to be knowledgeable, but at this point, I'd rather instill a love of reading for readings sake
Should I be encouraging "educational" reading material instead of enjoyable fiction?
They have been given lots of lift the flap usborne style books, but are generally uninterested

Normally I wouldn't second guess myself like this, but this has come from a teacher.

Thanks

I think it’s more important to foster a love of reading. It doesn’t matter what they are reading as long as it’s being enjoyed

I strongly disagree with this. You want young kids to learn to enjoy books and reading so if they like Mr Men and Julia Donaldson then read them. If they like fact books then fine.

Ooh I'd definitely stick with stories if I could. DS loves to read me his encyclopedia which just results in a lot of 'but how do you know that before I've read it to you?'

They learn from all sorts of books.

The can learn about the structures of language, a joy in playing with it, how to talk about pictures and happens.

How to turn pages is learning. Reading from left to right, and understanding that this picture happened before that. It all takes time and practice to figure out.

Learning is much more than facts and content.

I never read such books to my ds 7.. He has fun, great story books-usually bought when he isn't there to choose! He literally has over 100 books. I can read 1 line of any one of them and he can tell me which book it is - most nights we read a page each. . He is a fantastic reader...
He chose himself some factual ones about dinosaurs.. They aren't his bedtime choice but enjoys them at other times...

My toddler loves me ‘reading’ him horrible non fiction for young children books about tractors and emergency vehicles. He is obsessed with wheels.

I do not enjoy looking at pictures of tractors and talking about the big wheels over and over again. I’d much rather be reading a story.

But it’s about what he enjoys and there’s learning to be had in all sorts for young children.

Who told you that? I think Montessori enthusiasts can be anti fiction, but stories are important for development too.

To be honest, I think reading anything is a good thing for children. Fiction, nonfiction, comic books… whatever interests them.

read what they enjoy, how ridiculous not to! I really miss snuggling with mine and reading to them even if it was the same books over and over and over again.

My cousin is a primary teacher and encourages parents to ready anything to their kids. Because anything is better than nothing. In our house we read fiction books because that is what DS likes, as his interests change and develop we will read other things.

But they do learn from all of the books you have described e.g.
Super worm - names of insects
Thomas - lots of train stuff, what the railway does
Mr men - emotional responses
Etc

Books will expose them to a wide range of words that you yourself might not normally use day to day even though you understand them, widening their vocab.

I'd stick with the fiction if it's fostering a love of books and be prepared to chat around the story (what is a stag beetle, where do the trains go at night, etc) which will stick much better because they are engaged with it.

Read what they enjoy.
I've got slower/ reluctant readers, DS1 having various high functioning learning difficulties including dyslexia. My jury is out on DS2 and I suspect there are some kind of processing/ attention difficulties there.
However DS1 loves books, if you get the right ones. He loves attractive fact books with bitesize information and detailed illustrations. DS2 is more awkward but likes comic books. He also likes being read to and read with.
If I got snobby about books, their interest would easily be snuffed out.

Is this from an EYFS teacher?

@BogRollBOGOF tell me to bugger off but have you got the usbourne lift the flap books? We have a few of these, sound like they might tick your DS1’s likes, depending on his age. The train one is loved by my DS.

You are doing entirely the right thing! I find it a very odd suggestion that there is nothing to be learnt from fiction. Fiction is a way of exploring ideas, emotions, other people's viewpoints, political systems, different cultures...

Things need not have happened to be true. Tales and dreams are the shadow-truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes, and forgot.
Neil Gaiman

@,Just10moreminutesplease - that's not so about Montessori.

Montessori discourages exposure to fairy tales ( essentially Grimms fairy tales and the Disney versions) until about 7-8. Even so, nobody is going to turf you out of a Montessori school if you read those stories to your child or let them watch the Disney movies.

OP, whoever advised you to read factual books to your child is bonkers.

Read anything and everything, and don't be afraid to read the same book over and over if your child wants that.

I'd love to know who gave you this advice.

I only have small children but I do have an English teacher mother and I call utter codswallop.

Teaching your children to love reading will make all future learning easier, surely the 'facts' can come later?

That being said my kids love the Usborne Flap books. There are loads of them, on loads of topics (from space to poo to racism). They have different series aimed at different ages.

Very First Questions and Answers - What are germs? What makes it rain? Etc.

Then 'First Questions and Answers' then 'Questions and Answers'.

They also do 'Peep Inside'/'See Inside' series.

usborne.com/gb/books/browse-by-category/lift-the-flap-books

(Or search Amazon).

The earlier ranges are great for explaining concepts and the older ones have lots of facts. They aren't what I'd call fun bedtime reading, though my 4 year old frequently does ask for them at bedtime.

National Geographic also does a whole series of Little Kids First Big Book of... (Space, Ocean, Animals, etc).

Again, I don't think there is anything wrong with your approach but a few of the above might help you tick a box with the nit picking teacher.

Not sure how old your kids are but the Sue Graves Behaviour Matters books are good for 3/4 year olds on tantrums etc.

If anyone has recommendations on factual books written as a story, I'd be very interested.

Children should enjoy the books being read to them so it really doesn’t matter which books they are. Julia Donaldson is great.

I am an avid reader, have an English Literature degree, a Masters degree in Education and am an English Teacher. I was never told what to read, just had access to a range of books. My few memories of primary school are being read to and being completely lost in the story (particularly Roald Dahl). I read whatever I wanted - easy books, challenging books, whatever. I have always prioritised story time at bedtime for my kids and they love books and reading too.

So yes, trust your gut instinct - it is whatever they enjoy!

DS5 has always enthusiastically picked the books he wants me to read. initially it was whatever had a pleasing cover. He is always engaged when it's a book he's picked while the ones I've picked sometimes surprise him and sometimes he's just really not interested after a few pages. He's currently really into planets and space. He picked out The Planets: The Definitive Visual Guide to Our Solar System and loves listening to me read and has so many questions and despite it obviously being meant for older children, he seems to be relishing all the facts and figures. It's bonkers. He doesn't want reading time to end and is desperately trying to read it to himself, spelling out the words and making up others.

It doesn't matter what the book is, let them explore and enjoy whatever books they like. They pick up so much from just listening to a book being read out aloud and it develops their vocabulary.

Do you think she said it to everyone?

It probably makes her life, and your children's lives, a bit easier if pupils are reading books at home that help with phonics, days of the week, seasons, dressing for the weather, different forms of transport, crossing the road, healthy eating, baby animals etc. I don't think she meant read them at the cost of books they love.

Thank you everyone.

It wasn't my DCs teacher, they're not at school yet, although starting in September, as they're 4. It was a family member who is a teacher, although not EYFS.

Your anecdotes have reassured me.

@Grapesavocado, not a general comment like that as I'd understand that it was in the context of me saying DCs favourite series are X, Y, Z, then "oh but they should be reading something that they can learn from".

Carry on as you are doing. Seems your DC has access to a variety of books eg library. Let them choose, enjoyment of books/reading is what is important

Later during the primary school years (age 9-10-11) when children are reading for comprehension, it's ok to include factual passages in a school reader, along with other genres, or for children to read at home if they wish. Even in the school setting, the aim is to expose them to a different genre to gauge whether they can follow the gist of the passage, identify key details, etc.

Your relative has a very strange idea of what children are doing during their early years - if not learning then what? They are learning every single minute of the day.

I'm an English teacher and I think that is bonkers advice.