If reading with your children isn't a regular habit, try to make it one. Here are compelling reasons why we need to read with kids every day. Reading with our kids is one of those pieces of advice everyone—experts, teachers, pediatricians—recommends, but can still fall off our radar. And we have plenty of excuses. We: Are busy. Do read to our kids, but not regularly. Don't have enough books in the house. Think the kids are too old to be reading with us. Don't read ourselves. Meet resistance from our kids. Why we need to read with kids every day Why is it important … [Read more...]
9 Strategies to Help Beginner Readers Build Strong Reading Habits
Want to encourage a love of reading in your child? Discover the 9 strategies that will help beginner readers build strong reading habits. It's magical, isn't it? Seeing kids piece letters and words together as they read from a book. But as much as they enjoy reading now, how do we make sure they continue to do so in the years ahead? After all, you see bleak stats about kids' interest in reading on their own dwindle as early as fourth grade. How do we take beginner readers and help them develop good reading habits? Help beginner readers build strong reading habits My biggest … [Read more...]
8 Long Term Benefits of Reading to Your Child
Wondering why it's important to read to your kids? Discover the long term benefits of reading to children and how it can impact their future. We've all heard the advice to read to kids, often and early. No study has ever refuted the benefits of reading to your child. "Warning: new research says reading to kids does harm!" Reading to kids at a young age isn't only about the immediate results. Yes, our kids enjoy books. They'll feel less cranky after a nap, and story time adds a certain rhythm to your day. But imagine how much our kids' lives will change because we read to them. We'll … [Read more...]
31 Children’s Books about the Alphabet
Discover the ultimate list of children's books about the alphabet! Introduce your child to letters and words by reading these top ABC books. One of the most searched for articles here is how to help children recognize letters and numbers. One tip I offer is to expose kids to a variety of ABC books about the alphabet. And while I included a handful of suggested books, I knew it wasn't as thorough as it can be. And thus, I've compiled several great alphabet books. Read these ABC books as you would any story book. Don't pressure your kids to memorize the letters or quiz them on what … [Read more...]
Do Your Kids Hate Reading? 6 Risky Mistakes You Might Be Making
You're embarrassed to admit it. After all, you keep hearing advice about reading to your kids from day one. Or the book lists your kids are supposed to love. And story time at your local library is jam packed with kids—every single one who loves reading. Yet you can't seem to coerce yours to even sit on your lap for one book. Or maybe your kid would rather play with Legos, crayons, or run around in the backyard—anything, except read. You can't believe this has happened, but somehow, your child hates reading. With research listing the benefits of reading to children—many that serve … [Read more...]
(OLD) 5 Strategies for Learning Letters and Numbers
Panic. That's how you feel when you wonder why your child still isn't learning letters and numbers. You wonder what age a child should be to identify the alphabet and tell numbers apart. You hear how other kids can already write their full names and even sentences, yet yours doesn't seem to grasp the concept. And when you try and teach her, she shrugs it off disinterested, or worse, grows frustrated. How can you help your child recognize letters and numbers—without nagging and fighting? 5 Strategies for Learning Letters and Numbers #1: Focus on one letter or number a week. Words or … [Read more...]
Instill a Love of Reading in Your Child
Reading boasts many benefits for children. Start the habit now. Use these tips to encourage early literacy and instill a love of reading well into adulthood. When our little guy was a baby, my husband and I could spend hours in a day reading to him. (It's pretty easy reading to an infant when they don't move around so much!) He knew how to turn pages at an early age and turned to books for entertainment. Even though my two-year-old is now more active and mobile, he still loves reading as much as playing. We've always wanted to instill a love of reading in our kids as much as we … [Read more...]
How to Encourage Early Literacy with Toddlers
We started reading to our toddler very early so that from the day he was born we've yet to pass a day without having read a book. Literacy in early childhood — or rather, the love of reading and knowledge — remains a priority in our family. Below are some of the ways we've encouraged reading. How to encourage literacy in early childhood Reading in a relaxed environment The kid isn't going to want to read if it's regimented and forced on him. We promote positive associations with reading by cuddling with him as we read, making funny noises and faces and treating reading as something … [Read more...]