In our state quarantine restrictions are slowly easing and “homeschool” is at an end. I’ve started to think about what fun summer learning activities we can do. This summer will obviously be completely different than the past but, one thing I’ll still implement is challenging my big kids to read more. 

I call it a challenge but getting my kids to read has never been that. They actually love reading. One more than the other but having them pick up a book has never been a fight. I get asked by people often on how I get my kids to love reading and the answer is introducing books at an early age was key. Here are my 5 tips……

  1. Read in front of your kids. My kids love to copy me. They have copied some of my bad habits unfortunately but they’ve also picked up good habits. No, I can’t read an intense novel with babies playing around me but I can read a magazine or a daily devotional. As they get older it does get easier to read a novel when they’re around and seeing me quietly reading somewhere in the house has promoted them to pick up a book and do the same.
  2. Read every night before bed. After a long day of work there were so many times when I had no desire to read a book after bathtime. But no matter how tired I still read.That consistency gave them something to look forward to at night and helped them get used to someone reading to them while sitting quietly.
  3. Read out loud even if they’re not listening. It’s frustrating at times when you’re reading and all your kid wants to do is run around or climb over you. I get it and it’s going to happen, but by continuing to read you’ll be surprised that they are still listening and seeing you not stopping regardless of what they’re doing will give them the realization to sit down and listen because the show is not stopping.  
  4. Keep books reachable where they spend the most time. I have a basket of books in our family room that I change out every month. If it’s a holiday that month I pick books designated for that upcoming day and when I did tot school I picked out books that were themed to what they were learning that week. They have a mini library of books in their room but they always seem to look at the books in the family room more.
  5. Have books that are your kids favorite tv shows, movies, and activities. I love classic books and keep a variety in rotation but if your child loves watching Elmo and Frozen they will love to read about them too. My oldest went through a Barbie phase and would ONLY choose Barbie books at the library and yes I did want her to read other books too. But, I knew not to be picky because the phase will pass and her love of books will not.  

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.” -Dr. Seuss

Stay reading friends! 

xoxo