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100 Ways to Grow a Reader
Read, read and read some more! The number one way to grow a reader is to read to them everyday.
Share books with out of town relatives or friends through Skype.
Go on a picture walk with kids before reading the text. This is a great way to “plant” new vocabulary, work on predictions and build background knowledge before reading.
Read chapter books to children. This helps expose them to new vocabulary and develop visualization skills.
Draw attention to print everywhere (billboards, stores, playgrounds, etc.)
All reading doesn’t have to be from books. Cereal boxes, magazines, flyers, billboard signs, street signs, etc. are all opportunities waiting to be read.
Keep a list of books that you enjoy each year. It’s always fun to revisit old favorites from when the kids were younger. I kept track of the first 100 books we read to each of our kids. I figured it would be a fun list someday for the 100th day of school!
Let your child help someone else read. They say you don’t truly understand something until you can teach it!
Allow lots of time for kids to read independently.
Have kids research things that interest them. For example, if they want a new electronic device, have them read reviews about different options. A great way to show that reading is important!
Start a shared journal with your child. You each take turns writing back and forth to each other. Not only are you working on reading skills, but writing too.
Watch a movie based on a book. Build up a to the movie night by reading the book before watching the movie. Then, compare the two versions.
Encourage kids to write their own books.
Play pattern games with babies and toddlers. Recognizing patterns will help when they become readers and writers.
Share conversation at the dinner table. Here are 365 table topics to get the conversation rolling!
Let your kids meet authors. You can attend bookstore or library signings. If a live visit isn’t possible, Youtube has lots of videos of authors and illustrators talking about their work.
Don’t pressure your child. Every child develops and meets milestones at their own pace. Be patient!
Teach kids how to treat books. This book ambulance might come in handy!
Celebrate the holidays with books. Incorporate reading theme related books into your holiday traditions.
Is your child a sports fanatic? Let them keep up with statistics and stories in the newspaper during the season their favorite sport is played.
Celebrate author’s birthdays. It’s a great way to showcase different author’s work. Happy Birthday Author blog is a fun one to follow to gather ideas.
Have your kids join a book club. If you can’t find one, start your own!
Reluctant and/or older readers may prefer reading on an electronic device such as a Nook or Kindle.
Don’t take a vacation from reading during the summer. Check out the summer literacy fun we had last year. We called it Alphabet Summer Fun. We even made a book of all our fun to remember the good times all year long.
Incorporate books and writing activities into pretend play. For example, have menus and bills in a restaurant dramatic play area.
Cooking with kids provides lots of literacy opportunities. Here are some of our favorite cookbooks for kids.
When reading a chapter book, have kids draw a picture after each chapter in a mini-book about what they read (or heard if it’s a read-aloud). It’s a great comprehension tool.
Create a word wall in your home or classroom. There are lots of different kinds of word walls (high frequency words, vocabulary, math, etc.) Add just a few words a week.
Make “story of my day” placemats for your dining table. A great way to practice sequencing and build language skills. I like the Dinnertime Doodle Mats from Positively Splendid.
Go on a reading picnic. Bring a basket full of books and spread out the blanket in the grass and read!
Participate in Virtual Book Club for Kids or Poppins Book Nook each month. Virtual Book Club for Kids features books by a certain author each month. Poppins Book Nook features books by various authors on different themes each month.
Read with your child 15-20 minutes each day. This truly is the best gift you can give to a reader!