Jump Start Reading

With all the TV, video games, and smart phone apps out there, it's hard to get kids to pick reading over screen time. One of the best ways parents can encourage their children to read is to read to them and with them. Here are a few tips to get your little ones started right from the get-go so they will love to read before they realize how cool screens are (because let's face it, screens are cool).

Itty Bitties
Make reading tactile. Mary Kate Frank & Rachael Taaffe, of Scholastic Parents, recommend, "Urg[ing] babies to touch and turn the pages. Also mime actions (like eating), and use toys as props." Using books with tactile elements will help to keep them engaged. It will also continue to increase the development of their senses. Also, pick books that are relevant to your child. By selecting something that applies to their everyday activities, like riding in the car, learning to use the potty, holidays your family celebrates, they will understand the material better because they have similar experiences. 

Reading Activity: Create a story bag for your child's favorite bedtime story. A story bag is a collection of objects or materials that help demonstrate the story while you read it. As you read the story, pull each associated object from the bag and hand it to your child. Let them touch and play with it for a moment, then continue reading. Try to find items your baby will enjoy touching and moving, like a stuffed animal, a bell that makes noise, or a pretend flip phone. Also, try to include items of different textures, like piece of silk ribbon for a kite string or burlap square to represent a bag of potatoes. 
 

Toddlers  

Nichole Staker Design

As your baby grows and learns to form sentences, now is the time to make the books more verbally interactive. Ask your child questions while reading the story. Frank & Taaffe encourage asking questions to help your child relate to the characters’ emotions, as well as more simple questions like "Where did the cat go?" Also, point out items your child is learning, like shapes and colors, or objects you have in your house or have seen while you were out. By interacting with your child during the story, you will keep their attention and encourage their enjoyment of reading. 

Reading Activity: Make a library space for your child in their play room, your craft room, or family room. Create a pretend library card for them to use when "checking out" books. By pretending to go to the library, you'll create a special & fun exercise that teaches your little one a beneficial habit. 



By reading early, your child to learn to love books. You will create fun memories together, which you can share for years to come. And who knows... maybe when they hit college they'll come home for your book club because they remember how fun it was to read together.