It’s time to send the kids back to school, and as many of you know, that means buying new clothes and shoes, registration fees, and going to ten different stores looking for clear poly dividers with side pockets. Even though we are all busy, encouraging your child to read a little bit every day is important to his or her success in school. This is a great time to set good reading habits for the year. Encouraging your child to read might be easier than you think. Listed below are some of the ways that you can make reading an important part of your child’s life.
- Reading aloud isn’t just for bedtime. You can do it at the doctor’s office, at a restaurant, or while your child is eating breakfast. Bring a book with you whenever you go out- you never know when you might be able to squeeze a few minutes of reading time in.
- Don’t limit reading to books. A trip to the grocery store can turn into a learning adventure. Words are on every product. Have your child read off items on your list or hunt for words starting with a particular letter of the alphabet. Road trip? Read the signs. Dinner out? Read the menu.
- A recipe for success! Have your child help you read recipes when you make dinner. Cooking together is also a great way to build your child’s vocabulary, practice math skills and encourage healthy eating habits.
- Reading and writing go hand in hand. Have your child write a description or story about a picture they have drawn. Try a story starter such as “If I were a bird, I could…” Don’t forget that typing is just as good as printing, email Grandma!
- Talk about books! Asking your child questions about what they just read will develop their reading comprehension skills. It will also teach them to look for important points in a book. What was the problem in the story? How was it solved? What was your favorite part?
- Let your child choose the book. Research has shown that allowing children to pick their own books could in fact make them better readers. Try not to worry if they choose books that seem too easy for them or too difficult to read, in time they will learn which books they like best and will become experts at finding them. If your child is struggling to find books they enjoy, encourage them to ask the librarian or book store employee for suggestions. Don’t forget you can browse books online too!
- Visit the library! One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is their own library card. It’s a great way to expose your child to a variety of books. Plus, it’s totally free! – just remember to return them on time.
- Build a reading fort or tent in your child’s bedroom. This will make reading more fun and exciting.
Do you love Pinterest? We do! For some extra reading inspiration we’ve made a Pinterest board with our favorite reading nooks!
Follow Lemon Starfish Books’s board Reading Nooks on Pinterest.
photo credit: Qiqi EGR Public Library December 31, 20097 via photopin (license)
