You likely heard the importance of reading to your child, but do you know why? Discover 7 benefits of reading to your child, even starting from day one! By: Lane Rebelo Some of my fondest memories of my daughter’s first year are of us bundled in the glider in her room reading stories at bedtime. Back then, she fit in the crook of my elbow so perfectly, both of us reading together as we rocked back-and-forth, baby in one arm and book on the other. Now even at 12-years-old and on the threshold of her teen years, she still wants me to read to her at bedtime each night. I'm savoring every … [Read more...]
6 Ingenious Strategies for Teaching Sight Words
Is your child struggling with sight words? Learn fun and effective strategies for teaching sight words without stress and pressure! We've all seen it: the list of sight words our kids are supposed to master by the end of the year. For some, sight words can be a challenge for parents to teach. Maybe your child isn't able to read or spell this week's sight words, making both of you feel discouraged. Getting her to practice at home feels like pulling teeth—if she doesn't know the word or finds it too hard, she might even start crying. And other times, your child just may not be … [Read more...]
No Excuses: Why We Need to Read with Our Kids Every Day
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 good 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? How to build good reading habits My biggest priority isn't to turn … [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. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase. 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, … [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...]