My love of reading was encouraged at an early age by my mother. She kept the house full of books, building shelves adorned with everything from encyclopedias, fairy tales, children's books, and even literary workbooks she would find at local thrift stores and yard sales. Sparking my curiosity, I took these various books as a challenge to read EVERYTHING I could get my hands on. As the years progressed, my curiosities grew, and my mom continued to gift me with books to feed them. Before long, I was not only fully immersed in reading, but also teaching everything I learned to my younger siblings.
Some of my fondest childhood memories start and end with reading. In retrospect, I see myself retreating to my room to bury myself in some fantastical read as an escape to a far away land. Then other memories involve mom buying me books from my wish list along with my favorite snacks to share with friends.
As tradition would have it, I encourage this same of love of reading in my children. What started as a weekly task I promoted heavily, soon grew into a healthy habit each of my children indulge in at their own will. And my heart grows full when I watch them reach for their books and snacks after finishing homework after school, just as I did as a child. How do we actually get our children to enjoy reading, you ask? In today's post, I'd like to share with you three easy ways to encourage early literacy in children at home.
Set the Example
I grew up with a love of reading because my mother set the example. Not only did she purchase books for me, she read them often as well. She kept a good book on her nightstand, and was always in the middle of reading something interesting. I believe I have done the same thing with my children. I try not to remind them to read as much as I let them see me reading. And I think it encourages them to want to do the same. Make sure that you sharing the love of reading with your children at an early age by making books visible in your home. As they see them, they will become curious about them.
Give the Gift of Reading
My mother never let my fascination with books be limited to school. She made sure she kept the bookshelves at home filled with books, encyclopedias, and other learning tools to feed my habit. If she wasn't ordering books from local vendors, she was showing up at the school book fairs with her fancy pocketbook, or taking me and my siblings to the store to get books (she had a rule--we could get a toy, but we also had to get a book). Little did she know that she was on to something.
Not only did I have to have ALL THE BOOKS, I do the same things for my children. When they ask for a new release, I try my best to get it. When the school has book fairs, I buy them the books that they want (within reason). Gifting your children with books teaches them the value of literacy early in life.
Not only did I have to have ALL THE BOOKS, I do the same things for my children. When they ask for a new release, I try my best to get it. When the school has book fairs, I buy them the books that they want (within reason). Gifting your children with books teaches them the value of literacy early in life.
Add Reading to the Daily Routine
One of the easiest ways to promote reading in the home is to make it a part of your everyday life. Add reading to the household schedule each weekday at the same time, and before long it will become routine for your children. My oldest two children have been reading like this for years, thanks to scheduled reading time in the classroom. I took this example to further engage their reading outside of school. Seeing everyone else reading throughout the day influenced my youngest child to do the same at an early age. As younger children learn by following routine, eventually reading in the evenings became second nature to him.
During reading time, we set reading goals and talk to each other about the books we are reading. We also like to gather around in the living room with snacks. Reading time with their favorite snacks gives the children something productive to do even when it seems like it's just chill time after homework. Creating a routine such as reading time promotes literacy and gets your child excited about reading their favorite books. Enjoying snacks during reading time are an added bonus!
During reading time, we set reading goals and talk to each other about the books we are reading. We also like to gather around in the living room with snacks. Reading time with their favorite snacks gives the children something productive to do even when it seems like it's just chill time after homework. Creating a routine such as reading time promotes literacy and gets your child excited about reading their favorite books. Enjoying snacks during reading time are an added bonus!
The portability of my youngest son's favorite multi-pack snacks from Target makes it easy to keep him engaged in reading at home, in the car, and anywhere we may venture to.
How Kellogg's and Scholastic Want to Help
Kellogg's supports literacy during the back to school season. And to show their support, Kellogg's and Scholastic have a back to school book program that offers FREE BOOKS to participants. And the rules are easy-peasy, guys. With the purchase of back to school items, such as Cheez-Its, Nutri-Grain Bars, Pringles, Fruit Snacks, etc., participants can submit their receipts to redeem books! Please visit the Kellogg Family Rewards site here to check out the full list of participating products.
Redeem your books in these easy steps:
-Buy any participating Kellogg's products by 9/30/18.
-Take a picture of your receipt(s) with qualifying purchases. Log in to Kellogg's Family Rewards® and upload your receipt. Each receipt must be submitted separately and within 30 days of purchase.
-Get credit to redeem for a book of your choice to keep or donate. Credits must be redeemed by 12/18/18. Limit of 10 books per participant.
Make sure to visit feedingreading.com for full details!
-Take a picture of your receipt(s) with qualifying purchases. Log in to Kellogg's Family Rewards® and upload your receipt. Each receipt must be submitted separately and within 30 days of purchase.
-Get credit to redeem for a book of your choice to keep or donate. Credits must be redeemed by 12/18/18. Limit of 10 books per participant.
Make sure to visit feedingreading.com for full details!
HOW DO YOU ENCOURAGE READING AT HOME WITH YOUR CHILDREN?
