A big thanks to Shauna for having me on the blog today! With summer wrapping up, and school just around the corner, many of our thoughts turn to learning and perhaps even reading. Some kids are naturally excited about reading, and you’ll find them ravenously reading or begging to be read to year round. Others, however, are less enthusiastic.
Did you know that reading to newborns increases their math capabilities? Or that the average children’s book has more words than prime time television? That 26% of children who were read to 3 to 4 times per week could recognize all the letters of the alphabet, versus 14% of those who weren’t? Or that for every year a child is read regularly between infancy and preschool their expected lifetime earnings increases by $50,000? Reading is a big deal! It can be hard to get kids excited about it, but it doesn’t have to be--here’s three easy ways you can help your child to love reading!
- Point out reading role models
Your little princess may find reading more enticing when she’s reminded that Belle LOVED to read, and always had her nose stuck in a book. And does your rambunctious superhero remember how fast Iron Man cruises through his reading homework? The role models you point out don’t have to be fictional either--find someone that your child admires who enjoys reading and point it out to them. Remember, it may very well be you!
- Make it a family activity
Kids look up to their parents and older siblings! Let them catch you reading. Talk to them about what you’re reading and in turn ask them about what books they’re reading/like when you read to them. Take time to read aloud to your children, even when they’re old enough to read on their own. Sitting close together and spending quality time together reading is a unique bonding experience for parents and children.
- Gift books
To help your children love to read, it helps to increase the excitement associated with reading. One way to do this is to give books as gifts! Wrap them up as gifts for birthdays, holidays, and rewards for accomplishing goals and reaching milestones. The anticipation of unwrapping, and the message you subconsciously communicate to them that reading is fun, exciting and that books are gift-worthy will work wonders!
Want some help in the book gifting department? Bookroo sends a curated box of individually wrapped board or picture books to your house each month for less than the retail value of the books. Just yesterday, I had a customer write in to report her young daughter had asked her: “Mama, when does my next book box come in? I want to see what kind of awesome books I have from them.” This little girl is excited about getting books. She’s anticipating with delight the prospect of having new books to read.
We believe every child can love to read, and we want to help this become a reality for as many children as possible. Until the end of August, we’re hosting a Buy One, Give One promotion, where each new Bookroo customer will be given a coupon for a free one-month subscription to gift to a friend. More details here: bookroo.com/summer-reading
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