Five Counties Children’s Centre is encouraging families to swap batteries and screens for books this holiday season, saying reading is one of the most meaningful gifts a child can receive.
“Books can make the perfect holiday gift for kids, especially to expand their language and support their communication skills for life,” said Ida Lloyd, a speech-language pathologist at Five Counties. “Books allow families to connect and spend time together, having fun and discovering a mutual love of reading.”
Clinicians at the centre support children and youth with speech, language and communication needs across Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton/Minden. They say reading benefits all ages — from newborns to teens.
Lloyd says reading with infants and toddlers helps establish early routines and exposes them to the sounds and rhythms of language.
For older kids and teens, reading can spark new interests and give them tools to think and express themselves more clearly. Lloyd suggests adults model good habits by putting down their own devices and picking up a book.
Five Counties’ speech-language team also shared recommended authors and titles for gift-givers, including favourites such as Sandra Boynton, Richard Scarry, Robert Munsch and Eric Carle. Classic picks like Goodnight Moon, Dear Zoo, Where’s Spot?, Sheep in a Jeep and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? also topped the list.
The team suggests choosing interactive or engaging formats — including lift-the-flap books, textured books, wordless books and stories with repetitive patterns or silly sound effects — all of which help hold a young reader’s attention.
Lloyd encourages caregivers to follow a child’s lead, especially with very young readers. Letting children choose the book, hold it and turn the pages builds early literacy skills and keeps reading enjoyable.
“Remember, it needs to be fun, because if it’s not fun, kids will be gone,” she said.
With the long-term developmental benefits well noted, Lloyd says the best holiday gifts don’t have to beep or glow.
“Books bring people together across generations, space and time, reminding us that the greatest holiday gifts don’t require batteries or screens.”
