Many of us know the importance of reading with your children, but do you make it an experience for both of you? Try some of these suggestions to enhance your reading time with your child and make it a meaningful experience for both of you.

1. Use silly voices. As you read, get into character. If you’re reading Harry Potter, try your hand at an English accent. If it’s a book with animals for characters, think about what a mere cat would sound like if it could talk. What about a grizzly bear? Would a skunk really sound like Pepe’ La Pew?


2. Have theme nights. Maybe Tuesday night is humor night. Try to find the funniest books for each age group and share them with each of your children as you tuck them into bed. A good one for younger children is “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf” written by Jon Scieszka. And for your older child, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Rodrick Rules” by Jeff Kinney has gotten rave reviews and plenty of laughs.


3. If you have kids that are close in age, form your own little book club. You all read the book individually and then have discussions about it just like you would with a grown-up book club. It might be interesting for you to hear the different perspectives your kids may have to offer.


4. Dress up and turn the book into the stage or film version. You could even pen out a script together. Change it up if you like! Who says Cinderella had to wait for the prince to save her? Maybe, just maybe, she started an upper-end clothing line for wealthy mice and dropped the boot on the dear old evil step-mother and sisters.

Whatever it is you choose, remember to share great books with your children! Teach them to enjoy reading for life!




Live fully,

Mia

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