4 Fun Reading Activities To Try

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Is your child learning read? If you want to foster good reading habits that turn your child into a voracious reader for life, check out a few activities to try:

Repetition Fun

Little kids loooove knowing what comes next in a book, so choose options that feature plenty of rhyming and repetition. Classic books to choose from include Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst, The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr., and Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss. Short rhyming poems also work. Read your selected options slowly and encourage your child to engage. Memorizing books is a normal part of reading development, and will help instill a love of reading.

“Story Talk”

Discussing the book you just read is a fantastic way to help children develop their language and thinking skills. Pick favorite storybooks and ask questions such as “What do you think will happen next?”, “Do you know where the frog/cat/other animal is?”, etc. Answer all of your child’s questions as well, and ask if you think there’s something he or she isn’t getting. Talking about the stories they’re reading helps children connect them with everyday life, improve their vocabularies, and make sense of what they’re reading.

TV Time

Television makes a great reading tool when used properly. The key is to limit what they’re viewing, and to watch programs with them whenever possible. Look for educational programs, such as those found on public television channels, and see if the shows encourage follow-up reading or include their own book series. Arthur is a good example, as it was a book series before becoming an animated television show.

“Research”

Looking for books you both love is another great way to emphasize the importance of reading. Award-winning books are always a great option, and if you and your child don’t like it, put it aside and find something that piques interest. Visit your local library and get your child a library card, which he or she will undoubtedly love. Spend some time searching for favorite books, and keep in mind that easy ones allow young readers to quickly begin reading with you, while more advanced options motivate kids to become better (and lifelong) readers.

These are merely some of the many reading activities to enjoy with your child! What reading activities do you swear by?