Sharing Books with Children

My experience...

Ania, mother of Patryk (18 months)

My partner and I are from Poland but our son Patryk was born in Scotland, and we'd like him to be bilingual. Since he was born books and music have become very important to us. I love singing rhymes to him; it's great fun. I can see he loves listening to me singing and watching me making faces – I think it helps him have a better understanding of words and he is even starting to copy the 'moves'!

I noticed that Patryk prefers Polish rhymes when at home with me, but enjoys rhymes in English at our weekly meetings at the library. Most of the time, I sing rhymes I used to sing or loved myself as a child – it brings back good memories. We also listen to lots of great nursery songs or lullabies on CDs that I buy in Poland. And with the Internet, I can quickly and easily find new rhymes and songs for us to learn together. For me, rhymes are the most amusing ways to make kids read, write and have fun. It's time well spent!