Here you’ll find out how to raise your child to be a reader by building a home full of language and love.
Reading is a key part of daily life, and its importance continues throughout our lives. Not only is reading a fun activity we all can share, it also is a tool to help us learn and grow. Through reading, we can continue to expand our knowledge long after we finish school. Beyond the school years, reading helps us succeed in our jobs and careers, while enabling us to be lifelong learners. One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is instilling in them the love and the habit of reading – a gift that will serve them well for the rest of their lives. So read to them right from the start – and never stop!
Be a reading role model. Let your child see you reading often for pleasure.
Anything with written words is considered reading. It’s easy to find ways to read everywhere! From your breakfast cereal box to signs on the street, words are all around us. Point them out to your child throughout your day.
Plan a family book night where you read silly stories, jokes, and riddles to show your child just how fun reading can be!
Fill a toy bin or the bottom of a bookshelf with kid-friendly books and coloring pages for easy access.
If you have more than one child, ask your older children to read to their younger siblings. The “big kids” will be proud to show off their skills while the younger children will want to read just like their older brothers or sisters.
Replace screen time with book time – in other words, more laps, fewer apps! Your child will learn more from a book than any educational app or TV program. And it helps their imaginations soar!
Parent Tip: Rotate a stash of kid-friendly books in your car. Your daily commute can become a great opportunity for your baby to learn how to hold and turn the pages of a book – and your toddler or preschooler can enjoy “reading time” on the go!
