Purchased or checked out of the library – books can be a child’s best friend and open the door to better learning skills. Be a model for your child – turn off the tv, cell phone and computer and pick up a book – JUST READ!!!!
- HOOK THEM ON THE STORY
- Start it together by reading the first few chapters aloud and allowing them to finish on their own. Try audio books in the car!
- Read something your child might like. Sit beside them reading quietly to yourself and then make comments that would pique their curiosity. Soon, they will be reading YOUR book!
- Alternate READING a book that has been made into a movie and WATCH part of the film!
- KEEP IT FUN
- Make a PREDICTION BOARD. Reading as a family, have each member guess what will happen next. Record on the board. At the end of the book, the person with the highest tally gets to choose the next read-aloud book!
- Watch a movie at midnight based on a favorite book or story. Quiz the children PRIOR to viewing the movie to see what they remember before you view.
- Fact or fiction? Quiz children on things you observe throughout the day around the dinner table.
- MAKE IT SOCIAL
- Have your child read to a pet or stuffed animal.
- Family read-a-thon time when everyone brings a favorite book, magazine or story to share.
- OFFER BOOKS AS TREATS
- Set up a themed reading area: tent stocked with flashlights and books on camping, bugs, and animal tracking; tea-party hideaway with snacks, stuffed animals and books about friendly critters.
- Book fairy who brings a book when a tooth is lost; leprechaun leaves behind a new book in an unexpected place.
- Mystery book bag containing new books that children have to guess the topic, fiction, biography, etc.
- THINK OUTSIDE THE BOOK
- Find articles and websites on subjects that are of interest your child. Scan newspapers and magazines, clip the articles and have them share with you!
- Audio books and e-readers / tablets are great ways to get them interested in reading.
- Joke books, funny facts and WOULD YOU RATHER books are a fun quick read while in the car, waiting room and quiet time giggles.
- READ AND WRITE
- Mail letters to favorite authors. Addresses are usually available via publisher’s website or library.
- Rewrite your OWN ending to a book / story.
- BRING BOOKS TO LIFE
- Pick a personality in the book and imagine how they would behave with one another or if they were visiting in your home!
- Make sound effects such as footsteps and closing doors. Have your child create the sounds as you read aloud.
- Change it up by switching words or characters to see if your child is listening and can catch you!
*Excerpted from an article in August 2012 FAMILY FUN MAGAZINE
