There are many ways you can promote reading with your children other than through books. While books are of course a wonderful resource, your home also provides a variety of additional reading material.
\n \nKitchen
\nIf you have pre-readers and beginning readers, put magnetic letters on your refrigerator door. Put them at your child’s level and create sentences. Ask your child to write the shopping list with the letters.
\nLeave large cereal boxes on the table and watch your child engage with the words and colorful graphics. Ask them to ‘find’ certain elements, letters and words.
\nAsk your child to dictate or write down the steps to make, for example, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Then together, try and make the sandwich using those exact directions.
\nShow your children how recipes work, and have them help read the instructions and gather ingredients and utensils.
\nDining room
\nEncourage your child to create menus for the dinner table. It might be a simple list of food items or something more elegant with designs and pictures too. You may need to write the words for your child to copy.
\nRead poems aloud at the table. Everyone could take a turn. Funny or rhyming poems can reinforce pre-reading words.
\nConversation is where children learn new words, so remember to use descriptive language.
\nUse the table to play traditional games, and use it to make models, do sewing or knitting. Most activities include directions to read together.
\nLiving room
\nSpread books around the living room. Children are more likely to pick them up if they are within easy reach.
\nTurn off the TV and celebrate a ‘No TV Night.’ Pop some popcorn and have some fun.
\nLook through magazines and have a lively competition as you all search for certain words or images.
\nOn nights when you do watch TV, silly sitcoms allow for character and plot discussions and predictions. Make conversation during the commercial breaks.
\nBedroom
\nThe ideal place to read is in bed, of course! Also, set your child up with bookshelves and help them to organize their books.
\nRemember boys, in particular, appreciate nonfiction, so have a few books beside the bed for browsing. The Guinness Book of World Records is a popular one.
\nSome children like to write in a daily journal, so supply a notebook or paper and pencils.
\nIf your child has a computer in their room, encourage online reading and researching information.
\nBathroom
\nPlace sticky note messages and affirmations on the mirror.
\nUse soap crayons in the tub.
\nMake up stories with your child using water toys and dolls during bath time.
\nExplore PVC (plastic) books designed for use in the tub.
\nCar
\nLet your child read the road map or plan the next trip.
\nPlay sign games looking for letters of the alphabet in order.
\nPlay the game I-Spy starting at A and working on through Z (if you get that far!).
\nTake turns retelling favorite stories you’ve read.
\nKeep in mind: the more we make reading fun, the more reading will be done! The more reading that is done, the more fun reading will become!
\nCalgary Reads builds connections, strengthens networks, champions, involves and innovates because we all have a role to play in creating a thriving community where all children can read with confidence and joy! For videos and games to help you build the joy of reading with your child, visit calgaryreads.com.
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