For the last few weeks, we have been talking a lot about reading aloud here! I recently reached out to several of my favorite bloggers, moms, and literacy experts to get their best reading tips.
I would have to say a reading chart has been amazing for my new reader. If she reads a book she gets a sticker and then after so many stickers she gets to pick a prize. She is starting to fall in love with reading.
Lyndsey Borden, My Adventure Called Life
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For us it was about getting books that had a subject he was interested in.
Danielle Favreau, Discretion Studios
My advice is to read aloud to your kids every day from birth and specifically to read children’s books that you especially love. Kids can sense when you are enthusiastic about the books you share with them, and that enthusiasm is very contagious. By helping kids associate reading with joy and pleasure, you set them up to be lifelong lovers of books.
Katie Fitzgerald, Read-at-Home Mom
It may sound strange, but the best advice was to let my kids see me reading. Before I started reading around her, my oldest as a toddler wouldn’t sit still for a board book. By the time she was five, we would read on the couch together for hours. She’s still my biggest reader. Kids will learn to value what they see you practicing. Speaking of which, I better get back to my book…
Carolyn Leiloglou, House full of Bookworms
IG: @housefullofbookworms FB: facebook.com/housefullbookworms
Encourage them to read by being present during your reading sessions. Put away all distractions and give them your full attention, they will crave these special moments with you and you will begin to cultivate a love of books within their hearts. They will associate books with safety and comfort and you will get to teach them amazing things through the books at the same time.
Samantha Munoz, Addison Reads
Incorporate books into your bedtime routine as early as you can (4 months is not too early) – not only will you create a love of reading and a creating a special connection opportunity, but you also create a strong cue to get your child ready to sleep!
Susie Parker, Sleep Baby Love
I prepare my daughter to fall in love with reading by providing her with fun and exciting adventures and activities which we then relate back to the books we read together. By helping her to make connections and activate her prior knowledge, she is better able to relate to books and see herself in them.
Vicki Wilkinson, Babies to Bookworms
Which of these reading tips do you intend to try? Or feel free to share your expert opinion in the comments below!
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Raising children who love reading doesn’t just happen. So let’s be more intentional together, okay?
This is great! Thanks for including me, Melissa!
I am so glad you participated, Carolyn!
I started reading to my kids when they were infants. I love to read and hoped to instill that in them. These are wonderful tips! I’ve slacked a little with my youngest but this post has inspired me to get back into it.
Yay, Diedre, I am so glad you felt inspired! I know that consistency is key when it comes to reading with my girls…but life happens. 🙂
I was reading to my daughter when I was still pregnant with her 🙂 She is learning to read now and just loves it.
I read while pregnant, too. Love it, Corey!
I have a relatively new reader, so this post was so helpful. I especially love the idea about starting a reading chart. Totally doing that!
Yay, Alyssa! I loved the variety of tips…something for every family!
What a great collection of tips! I think my goal as a parent to raise strong readers is to start young–not only because they’ll always have a strong reading foundation but also because I will be in the habit of giving them time during the day and night to be read to.
Yes, Sarah! The consistency is good for them AND us. Thanks for stopping by!
These are really good tips. I know my kiddies love reading. We’ve always encouraged reading and engaging them with fun experiences like language diversity incorporated with story telling, acting out stories, and utilizing their stuffed animals to participate in reading through the stories.
These are excellent tips! We’ve been reading books at bedtime (and naptime, back when it was a thing here!) since our little guy was a newborn. I hope it helps him develop a love of reading. Now that he’s 2, he likes to “read” the books to us!
Since my youngest was one month old I’ve been taking my kids to the library every single week. And as a result, they all love books.
I love this!
I’d love for you to share this with my weekly link up community, Encouraging hearts & home, Stop by Thursday if you’re interested!
I learned some good tips here. I have been thinking of starting a family reading time.
It’s all about exposure. I finally got my youngest books on CD as he has an insatiable appetite when it comes to being read to!