We all agree that reading to our children is valuable, right? (Check out the benefits of reading aloud here, if you’re not sure.)

When it comes to actually sitting down and reading to kids … well, that’s when things can get a little tricky. Usually, parents mention one of these three obstacles to reading with children:

1. We don’t have TIME to read aloud as often as we’d like.
2. I get tired of reading the same books over and over again.
3. My child won’t sit still for story time.

If any of those obstacles sound familiar to you, I hope our read-aloud series has been helpful for you. Here’s what we’ve covered so far:

• Read-Aloud Resources + Tip Sheet 

• 25 “Must-Have” Read-Aloud Authors 

• 10 Ways to Keep Hands and Minds Busy During Read-Aloud 

• Incorporating Reading into Your Daily Routine (you’re here!)

In our family, finding time to read aloud with our kids is a tricky business. We have to be intentional parents, making sure that reading to our children is a priority to our schedule.

Here are some of the ways we can all incorporate more stories into our day!

Choose just one or two a week to make reading to kids more fun.

(Reminder: Rolling Prairie Readers uses affiliate links at no additional cost to you. You can see our full disclosure policy here.)

1. Start the day with a story. Invite your little one to snuggle with you, and read a great book like Sandra Boynton’s Hey! Wake Up!. 
2. Read aloud while your little one gets dressed. Blue Hat, Green Hat is a family favorite!
3. Make teeth-brushing time fly by with a fun book!
4. Keep a children’s book of poems or nursery rhymes at the dining room table. Read one or two if you finish eating before your child. We love Tomie DePaola’s Mother Goose.
5. Stack books up next to the couch in the living room. Act surprised when you find your little one browsing a book!
6. Make a personalized playlist for your children. Record yourself reading a few favorite books.
7.  Buy a CD player and some books with CDs for your child’s room. My daughter enjoys Farmyard Tales from Usborne Books & More.
8. Leave a few books in the car for the carpool lane, waiting at the drive-through, or for taking on errand runs.
9. Visit the library or book store at least once a week. Find a new book by a favorite author.
10. Read a book outside while your child takes a water break.
11. Share a book while your little one is in the tub.
12. Snuggle up together for a book or two before bed.

 Can you think of anything I missed? I’d love to hear your favorite time of day to read with your child!

Grab our FREE Guide for Parents of Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers!

Raising children who love reading doesn’t just happen. So let’s be more intentional together, okay?