Summer is the Time for Reading!

I feel it is so important to engage our kids with great literature while school is out. Try an outdoor storytime in your yard or at the beach, enjoy books with story CD's in the car on your road trip, break from the hours of fun in the sun with a quiet few minutes indoors or in the shade. My boys, who never run short on energy, love the sing-a-long books/CD's when we get stuck inside on a rainy day. We can dance, act and use the art as inspiration for our own creations! Happy Summer!

Below are some great tips for successful reading with a child, provided by Barefoot Books...

TEN TIPS FOR READING WITH A CHILD

Learning to read is the cornerstone of every child’s education. By reading aloud and teaching your child in a way that is a pleasure for both of you, you will be sharing one of life’s most valuable gifts and open all kinds of doors for the future. Here are some tips on making the most of reading with your child:

1. Choose a time and a place where you can be quiet and give your child lots of attention. Make the occasion a special one.

2. Turn off any distractions such as televisions, radios, and computers.

3. When you are reading aloud, show that you are enjoying yourself.

4. Involve your child. Let yourself be interrupted with questions; talk about what you think of the story and the pictures.

5. When your child has started learning to read, follow the text and help your child point to the words as you go along.

6. Establish a routine. Try to devote some time every day to reading.

7. Take your child to your local library and involve him or her in choosing books.

8. Notice what kinds of stories your child enjoys and look out for ones with similar themes.

9. When you are reading aloud, praise your child for listening well and sitting still.
When your child is learning to read for you, give praise and encouragement too, but be sure gently to correct your child when he or she makes mistakes.

10. Help build your child’s vocabulary and memory skills by supplementing reading sessions with audio books on car journeys and after meals or at bedtime. Audio books are especially helpful in building memory skills and supporting the learning of dyslexic and autistic children.

Sharing your child’s journey into reading can be one of the most rewarding experiences of parenthood. You owe it to your child, and to yourself, to make it a priority in your daily life.