The love of reading is perhaps the best gift we can give to our children.
“He that loves a book will never want a faithful friend, a wholesome counselor, a cheerful companion, an effectual comforter. By study, by reading, by thinking, one may innocently divert and pleasantly entertain himself, as in all weathers, as in all fortunes.” -Barrow
From birth…
- Talk to your baby and tell her what you are doing when you are with her. Point out birds, trees, insects, colors, and shapes as you walk. Use your normal voice and words. Babies understand more than you think.
- Sing and read to your baby every day.
- Tell them stories, share family folklore, and tell them about your history.
Toddler-Preschool
- Take your child to the library and bookstores often. Let him explore the space and enjoy the story hours, even if he cannot sit still for the entire time.
- Celebrate your child registering for her own library card, make it big news in the family and let her check out what she is interested in reading. Remind her when books are due in order to help her foster responsibility early on.
- Limit time in front of the television and computer – watch together and discuss what you see.
- Have your child make up stories, poems, and songs and act them out with puppets and toys.
School Age
- Let your child see you reading and using the library. Continue reading together everyday. Read aloud and continue to make up and share stories.
- Enroll your child in a summer reading club. Studies show that children who participate in summer reading programs are more likely to retain their reading skills over the summer.
- Look for ways your child can use his new reading skills. Ask him to read signs, cereal boxes, and menus.
