Ask Prof Mike: Children who wander off, children who chew their books, and whether reading is just for school...

Published on: 03 July 2022

Every month, Writer in Residence Michael Rosen will answer your burning questions about encouraging strong reading habits in children.

What should I do if I’m reading a book to my two year old daughter and she keeps wandering off?

Just let her go and go on reading out loud to show that you're really interested in the book. 

Is it OK if my baby just wants to chew her books?

It depends what they're made of. I bought board books, cloth books and plastic 'bath' books for my children. It makes them more long-lasting than a normal paperback!

Isn't it better for my child to learn about books and reading when they get to school and can get taught by experts? I'm worried I might do it wrong

No. The more books that you read with your child before they start school, the better. It doesn't matter if you get it wrong. You can change the words too. You can tell the story from the point of view of a different character. Take my Bear Hunt book, for example. Why not tell the story one time from the point of view of the dog? Pretend to be the dog!

More tips from Prof Mike: Growing out of picture books, reading to three children at once, and different ways of telling a story...

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