How to read to your child

You can start reading to your child from the time he is six months old. If he cannot sit alone, put him in your lap with his back against you and hold the book in front of you. Here are some tips to make reading fun for you both.

• Find a quiet place and switch off the TV or radio
• Talk about the pictures in the book. Name what you see in the pictures to your child and teach him those words. 
• Make noises for the animals in the picture. A cow says “moo” and a dog says “woof”. 
• Let your child talk as well 
• Don’t read for too long as your child may get bored. 
• Read the same books again. Children like to hear the same stories over and over. 

Read to your child everyday

Children who are read stories and are given a gift. Their world grows bigger than their family and their community. You can borrow books for free at your local library. Read to you child every day.

• Reading out loud to your child will make you closer. 
• Your child will grow to love reading and will do well at school when he is older. 
• Your child will learn how reading works earlier if he sees you reading. 
• You are building your child’s brain. 
• You child hears new words, so he will learn new words

Feeding healthy brains

Food is fuel for your child’s body and brain. Up until age seven, your child is growing very fast. He needs the best possible food to grow healthy and do well at school. Pap, bread and porridge are not enough for growing children. Try and give your child these foods every day:

• Fruit and vegetables are very important.  Children love to eat sweet potatoes, carrots, butternut,           amadumbe and spinach – and you can grow them at home! Also give your child wild green                 leaves like imifio and morogo.
• Put a spoon of peanut butter in their porridge for energy to learn and play.
• Milk, eggs, beans, lentils and peas help children grow strong bones and teeth.
• Don’t give your child too many sweets or fizzy cold drinks.
• Too many salty foods like powdered soup and Aromat is also not healthy for children.
• Your child needs plenty of clean water to drink every day
• Remember, babies under 6 months should only have breast milk or formula.