Games, books, activities and ideas to get your kids reading!
Friday, April 19, 2024
Every new mom knows that her baby understands more than he can say. You say to a baby, “milk!” and that baby brightens right up. Long before he can speak, he understands.
That amazing, ahead-of-the-curve process never stops, as long as kids are constantly challenged with new ideas and offered the chance to learn new skills.
I’m not advocating French flash cards for infants or War and Peace for a toddler. But I am saying that your kids can handle more than you think.
When kids see adults reading they’re more likely to read, themselves. It isn’t just a theory, there’s been research done on this.
When a kid sees an adult reading a children’s book, he’s even more likely to read. Try picking up a kid’s book for yourself the next time you’re at the library; the effect on your child will be very interesting.
My literacy colleague, Jen Robinson, has a slew of other great reasons why adults should read children’s literature.
What doesn’t work.
Nagging. Avoid lecturing about the value of reading and hounding a child who is not reading. Your child will only resent it.
Bribing. While there’s nothing wrong with rewarding your child’s reading efforts, you don’t want your youngster to expect a prize after finishing every book. Whenever possible, offer another book or magazine (your child’s choice) along with words of praise. You can give other meaningful rewards on occasion, but offer them less and less frequently. In time, your child will experience reading as its own reward.
Judging your child’s performance. Separate school performance from reading for pleasure. Helping your child enjoy reading is a worthwhile goal in itself.
Just taking the time to focus on literacy will bring your child one step closer to enjoying reading more.
Think about literacy. Take 30 seconds during the holidays – today – to reflect on how you can help your child become a better reader, enjoy books more and have greater access to books. Just taking the time to focus on literacy will bring your child one step closer to enjoying reading more. Here […]
What impact, if any, does access to print materials have on our children’s reading? A lot, according to extensive research by RIF, Reading Is Fundamental, a non-profit children’s literacy organization based in Washington, DC. Owning and borrowing books from the library causes, “positive behavioural, educational and psychological outcomes.” In other […]
Could this be Snappy the mouse? Well, no, I made him up. But if there was a mouse named Snappy, this would be him. In a bi-plane. Image: by Dvortygirl. Here’s a great way to help your child succeed at reading and at the same time develop a love of books… […]
There’s a fourth promoter of literacy. You know that I’m always going on about the three most important things you can do to turn your kid into a great reader: 1) Read to her every day. 2) Have lots of books scattered throughout your house. 3) Let her see you […]
Please check out the 6th edition of Literacy Lava e-newsletter. I have an article in it (“Newspapers Build Literacy Skills”) that I hope you enjoy. Click here to access the free .pdf, Literacy Lava 6. Scroll down on the page and click on the image of LL6. You’ll find lots […]
By Julia Mohamed It’s nearly back-to-school time! Time to go from running wild and free to becoming a studious student once again. Here are a few ideas to help make the transition as smooth as possible: Goal Journal Have your kids contribute to a nightly journal. Begin now, with their […]
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