Children who regularly read benefit in ways that last a lifetime, and creating enthusiastic readers is important from an early age. Here are some ways to help kids love books and enjoy building literacy skills:
Set up a schedule.
Books aren’t just for bedtime. Bath time, lunch, pre-playground, or after school are all great times to read. According to Mary VanClay, expert on babycenter.com, some children function better when woken up reading a book versus immediate activity. The most important thing, however, is that there’s no “right” time to read. Whatever works for you and your child is best.
Turn car time into library time.
Turn off the car monitors and encourage children to bring books on tape, comic books, or magazines in the car while traveling. Motivational speaker Alfred “Coach” Powell conducts spelling games with student athletes on the school bus. Use surroundings wherever you are to test word recognition and build vocabulary.
Ask the pros.
Librarians are wonderful resources, so don’t be afraid to seek their opinion. Reading is Fundamental suggests choosing from award-winning books, like the Caldecott Medal and Newbery Medal winners. These are given to two out of approximately 2,500 published children’s books a year, so they’re popular with readers and educators alike.
Practice what you preach.
If you want to raise a reader, be a reader! Kids learn from their parents’ behavior, so be an advocate by showing children that devoting time to reading is important no matter what age you are!
