Raising Readers
photo credit: https://unsplash.com/@suadkamardeen
As we collectively say goodbye to summer and welcome the cooler weather (hello soup season!), some of us are reflecting on our summers with just a tinge of guilt.
We ignored the lovely daily schedules that we had made for our children in a rare moment of inspiration. That schedule hung on the fridge all summer and included the teacher-recommended 20 minutes of independent reading (to “stop the summer slide!”).
That same daily schedule lasted a happy week or two, but was then replaced by more pool time.
This is your permission to release the guilt that plagues the majority of parents.
And then, as we move back into the season of sweaters in the morning and then tank tops in the afternoon, here are a few ways to create healthy reading habits for our children, even during this very busy season:
1. Visit your library. Often.
-Help your child connect with the children’s librarian. Most are highly skilled at finding your child’s next great read.
-Make it a special routine (and less stressful) by having a specific library bag, a pre-ordained number of books each person can bring home, and a time set aside each week for that library run.
2. Make reading an event. One of my favorite ways to do this is to suggest that we all read together:
-On cold days, I might say, “I am going to go put on comfy clothes, make some tea, and read by the fire. Does anyone want to join me?”
-On hot days, I might say, “I just made some lemonade. Would anyone like to read on the porch swing with me?”
-On days when we are all a bit worn out, I might announce, “Alright, it’s a reading dinner tonight! Everyone, go grab a good book!”
3. Model reading
-Build reading into your own daily habits so your children see how it can be done naturally.
4. Connect your child with audio books and get them a comfortable pair of headphones
-Hoopla and Libby are apps that you can listen to free audio books through your library.
-Our family loves these affordable, fold-able headphones.
5. Read aloud to your children, even when they are able to read to themselves
-Choose a read aloud book that both you and your children will enjoy.
-Encourage them to do a quiet activity while they listen.
-Let them play with your hair, drive toy cars on your back, or rub lotion on your feet while you read to build physical connection while you spend quality time together.
6. Buy them books!
-Gifting specially-chosen books from a young age communicates that books are treasures. (My favorite children’s book authors to gift include Emily Winfield Martin and Charlie Mackesy)
-Locally-owned and independent bookstores have books that are carefully curated to inspire reading. Go on a special outing to buy books and support a local business. (I highly recommend this one in Emmaus, PA)
-Fill your home library with inexpensive or free second hand books: Free Little Libraries, Library Book Sales, like this one in Bethlehem, PA, Used book stores, like this one in Emmaus, PA
How will YOU inspire your little ones to read this fall?
This blog post was written by Bethany Stempert. Bethany is an Education Consultant with ZimZum Consulting. She is an educator and preschool director with degrees and experience in early childhood, special education, elementary education, and literacy instruction.