In honor of Dr. Seuss’ Birthday and Read Across America Day,
I found it appropriate to talk about the importance of reading. Growing up I
LOVED to read! I think I got this trait from my mother who once read 105 Nacey
Drew books in one summer when she was 9 years old. She still continues to read
2-3 books a week. I also have continued
my love for reading and can get captivated for days in an interesting book. My
daughter has also started to enjoy reading more. As my 6 month old son develops,
I want to be sure to instill the same lifelong love of reading in him. Reading not only helps build vocabulary but also
helps to improve imagination and communication skills. Reading is important
from the time a child is born until they are adults, so why not start them off
on the right track.
Here are some ways you can help your children develop a love
of reading at a young age.
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2. Be a Great Role Model! Read every day and show your child how much you love to read. They will pick up on it as well.
3. Get a Library Card. Taking regular trips to the library will make reading even more exciting! If not to a library, visit old or new book stores and let children browse the many books available.

5. Make Reading Readily Available. Place books in places where children have time to read most. Near their bed, by the potty, in the car and even a basket at the breakfast table all make for great places to store books to encourage reading. Also provide several different types of reading materials such as magazines, newspapers, or even the back of a cereal box!
6. Join the Club! Many schools and local libraries have kids reading clubs. This can make reading a social activity to include rewards. This is a great option to get children excited about reading!
7. Turn the TV Off! TV and other electronic devices are alienating for babies and young children. Young children need to first make an emotional connection to spoken word. While TV and movies may be enjoyable, they lack the opportunity for building imagination. For the older child, buy a book of a highly anticipated movie first. Have them read the book, then allow them to watch the movie after they have completed reading the book. Children under the age of 2 should not regularly be exposed to screen time.
8. Reading Technology. Just because the TV is off, doesn't mean media should be totally excluded for children who are age appropriate. There are times that electronic devices might be fitting in providing reading time. We love to use tabs and Kindles while traveling when we aren't able to haul around all of those books. I’d much more prefer my daughter be reading a story on her tab then to be zoned out on a movie. We also have used several reading sites on the internet to help her build her reading skills. I don’t use this in place of reading time, but as an extension to her reading.
9. Make Reading Part of the Routine. Adding daily reading into your routine is a great way to encourage reading outside of routine as well. We've added reading for at least 20 minutes before bed part of a nightly routine, even on the weekends. Now I find my daughter choosing to read more on her own throughout the day and getting excited about a good book!
10. Make Reading Fun! Above all, make it fun! Get silly when you read with your child, make it a game, or bring the stories to life by putting on a skit or dressing up! Make reading a bonding time. Reading should never be a chore, but instead something your child looks forward to each and every day.
Check out this wonderful site that has lists of age appropriate book suggestions.
Also, Primrose Families, don’t forget about Bookflix! Bookflix has hundreds of book titles to choose from and is part of our Primrose curriculum extended to our families to use at home. Children can listen to a story being read to them or they can read the story themselves. There are also wonderful videos for the children to learn about the authors. (please see our management teams if you have forgotten your log-in and password)
During the month of March, make reading a priority and make sure you are encouraging your children to read. Create the right environment to instill a love of reading for a lifetime!
Great Blog!! Reading is the window into any world you can possibly imagine. Reading can be so many things, enjoyment, a shared experience, a get away and friend. It is also the best tool in the world for learning, self discovery, and enrichment.
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