Does your child drag their feet at the words "book" or "read?" Here are eight ideas to make reading more engaging and fun at home this summer.
1. Library Summer Reading Challenges
Most public libraries have a summer reading program that can be a great incentive for kids. They often offer prizes, coupons, or toys for reading a certain number of books. Getting to pick out books at the library that interest them can also increase a desire to read.
While you're at the library, don't forget to check out other classes, workshops, or story times that the library may be hosting. Public libraries are a wealth of free knowledge in many forms!
2. Engaging Read-Aloud with Voice
If you read bedtime stories to your child, try using silly voices to represent the different characters. A squeaky mouse voice, a gruff monster voice, or a deep bear voice will surely make your child laugh, or at least keep them better engaged in the story.
3. Connect Reading to Real Life
Have you just visited the park or a museum? Are you going to the zoo next weekend? Try to connect what you are doing as a family to the books you read with your child. They may be much more interested to read a story about a topic that is relevant to what they know or are looking forward to.
4. Audiobooks and E-Books
For some children, reading a physical copy of a book can seem tedious or boring. Try having your child read a story on a Kindle, iPad, or other virtual format. Or, if your child is a wiggler, put on an audiobook to listen to while they play. This can serve as a great starting point to get interested in stories, which may open them up to traditional paper books later on.
5. Model a Love for Reading
Children often copy what they see in their day-to-day lives. If they see the adults in their life enjoying books regularly, they are much more likely to follow suit. Try scheduling a "family reading time" in the evenings or talking about what everyone has been reading while at the dinner table. Being surrounded by readers will encourage a child to give it another try.
6. Set the Right Environment
Try creating a fun and special environment for reading with your child. Build a "reading fort," make a special reading snack that they love, put on some comfy pajamas, or hang some twinkling lights. You can even try turning all the lights off and reading with flashlights! Little details in the environment that make reading time special can help a child grow to love to read.
7. Try Different Types of Reading
Is your child not interested in stories? Try reading a funny poem from Shel Silverstein or Jack Prelutsky, a non-fiction book in a topic your child enjoys like LEGOs or sharks, a graphic novel such as Big Nate or Dog Man, or even a recipe that you cook together for their favorite meal. Help your child to see that reading is everywhere and can be interesting to them!
8. Read to a Pet or Favorite Toy
Some children enjoy the idea of reading a book to the family pet or their favorite stuffed animal. You can even set up their toys in a circle or row for "story time," in which your child reads to an "audience." This can make the child feel importance and a sense of responsibility in reading to others.
Reading doesn't have to be boring or forced! Try one of these tips to encourage children to be enthusiastic life-long readers.
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