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Photo by Lynley Baker Phillips
- Read to your child every day. Perhaps the family reads a story before bedtime or finds a quiet minute during the day to sit down with some favorite books. Regardless of time or place, schedule some time to sit and read with your child everyday.
- Have a variety of books available. Stock your home library with board books, chapter books, series, and children's magazines. This introduces the concept that there are several forms of the written word available for readers.
- Set up a comfy reading area in children's bedrooms, stocked with their own personal book collection. Be elaborate and set up a reading loft or go simple by providing a comfy floor cushion and a basket of books. Having a personal space devoted to reading encourages children to become interested in books on their own time.
- Create books. Have fun crafting books with your children using some craft paper, markers, and a stapler. Write stories about a family vacation, a holiday, or about a pet. Consider making a photo book for your children using an on-line tool. Download family photos, add simple text (an ABC book is a fun idea), and wait for it to arrive in the mail.
- Take regular trips to the local library as a family. Make visiting the library a fun family ritual. Take time to browse the shelves, be a part of story time, and sit in a quiet place to read. Enlist the help of the children's librarian in searching for popular titles or books on interesting subjects.
- Gather books based on your child's interest. Does your child love trains? Find a variety of books about how trains work, where trains are made, and fictional stories involving trains. Showing children that books are written about a variety of topics, including those that interest them, encourages reading.
- Be seen reading your own self. Let children see that you enjoy reading as well. Tell them about the books or magazines you enjoy reading. Children often imitate the habits of their parents. Do not wait until the children are fast asleep before pulling out a good book. Reading in front of your child shows her that you love books just as much as she does.
Comments
Way to go Lynley! Love the topics!!
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