Happy Read Across America Day and National Reading Month! Can you believe March is upon us already? Today I’ve partnered with the Florida Center for Reading Research to share tips to keep get your child more engaged in reading, not just this month, but every single day.
1. Let your child lead.
Allow your child to choose books based on their interests. Whether they like picture books or graphic novels, fiction or biographies, poetry or sci-fi, children are more motivated to read when they are interested in the topic.
2. Make reading a family activity.
Choose a time of day when all members of the family drop everything and read. Children often follow the models shown by adults and will value reading when they see their grown-ups doing it for pleasure.
3. Keep reading aloud.
Read books together, even when your child is old enough to read on their own. When grown-ups read, the mental space needed to decode is freed up and the child can focus solely on understanding the story and actively participating in conversations beyond the text.
4. Introduce a fun series.
No one likes a cliff hanger, so captivating series are a great way to keep children engaged and wanting to read the next story.
5. Go beyond storybooks.
Reading doesn’t always have to be a traditional book. Read through a recipe book to find a new meal or dessert idea. Find a children’s magazine to spark interest in a new topic. Try listening to audiobooks for a fun switch in your normal reading routine.
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