Find time to read with your kids to build literacy skills. There are many ways to make reading a part of each day — even when you don't have time to sit down with a book.
Find the Reading Moments
Car/bus/train trips, errands, and waits in checkout lines and the doctor's office are all opportunities for reading. Keep books or magazines in your car, diaper bag, or backpack to pull out whenever you're going to be in one place for a while. Even if you can't finish a book, read a few pages or discuss some of the pictures.
Encourage older kids to bring favorite books and magazines wherever you go. While it's tempting to provide electronic games and e-readers, be sure to alternate electronic media with lots of opportunities to read print books.
Other reading moments to take advantage of during the day:
- in the morning, before breakfast or getting dressed
- after dinner, when kids are relaxed
- bath time (with plastic, waterproof books)
- bedtime
Reading Opportunities Away From Home
Reading opportunities are everywhere you go. While riding in the car/bus/train, for example, encourage your kids to spot words and letters (on billboards, store signs, etc.), turning it into a game ("Who'll be the first to find a letter B?").
While shopping, ask your preschooler to "read" pictures on boxes and tell you about them. Point out the difference between the words and the pictures on the boxes. Encourage older kids to tell you what's on the shopping list.
Turn Daily Routines into Reading Moments
Even daily tasks like cooking can provide reading moments. You can read recipes aloud to younger kids, and older kids can assist you as you cook by telling you how much flour to measure. Give your child a magazine to read while you sort through the mail.
Even when you're trying to get things done, you can encourage reading. While cleaning, for instance, you might ask your child to read a favorite book to you while you work. Younger kids can talk to you about the pictures in their favorite books.
Reading with Family and Friends
Ask relatives and friends to send your child letters, e-mail, or text messages, and read them together. Help your child create letters or messages to send back to relatives and family friends. Encourage older siblings to read with their younger siblings. These activities help kids see the purpose of reading and of print.
Provide Quiet Time for Reading
Make sure kids get some time to spend quietly with books, even if it means cutting back on other activities, like watching TV or playing video games.
Most important, be a reader yourself. Kids who see their parents reading are likely to copy them and become readers too!
