It can be difficult for parents to know exactly when to start teaching their children how to identify colors and numbers or when to start reading to them. However, the earlier parents begin reading to their kids, the better prepared they will be when entering kindergarten.
Published: December 20, 2017
By: Courtesy of Pizza Hut
Author Website: Click to Visit
Reading to children at home can set them up for success in school and life, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics. With the right resources, parents can influence their kids’ enjoyment of reading. These tips from the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program, which aims to motivate kindergarten through sixth-grade students to read by rewarding them with praise and pizza, can help inspire a lifelong love of reading.
Read to your children early and often. Parental involvement is one of the best predictors of future academic achievement, according to research published in the Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community. Getting into a routine of reading to your children at a young age is pivotal to the development of their love of reading. As you read, point out words, colors and images, and ask questions about the story.
Regularly visit the library. Libraries typically have lists available of favorite books for various age groups and can help parents and kids create reading lists of stories that match a child’s reading level and interests. Additionally, attending “story times” and other library activities tailored to age-specific audiences can expose your child to new books they are sure to enjoy.
Make books easily accessible. Having multiple locations in the home where you keep books can inspire children to pick one up any time. Start with a main bookshelf in your child’s room that lets him or her easily see the titles, and place additional book storage locations in different rooms where your family typically spends the most time.
Get comfy. While some prefer to read with mom and dad in a chair or on the couch, other children prefer their own space where they can cuddle up with a good book. If space allows, consider dedicating a corner of your child’s bedroom or playroom as a “book nook.”
Take advantage of technology. The use of technology can aid in creating excitement about reading. To help develop strong reading habits and enhance your child’s vocabulary and comprehension skills, consider supplementing traditional books with devices such as e-readers and tablets or smartphones equipped with age-appropriate reading and learning applications.
Keep reading. Children often see their parents as role models. If you read often, your children will be more likely to pick up the habit themselves. Whether you prefer magazines, romance novels or history books, it doesn’t matter. Just make sure your child sees you reading.
For more information and ways to help inspire young readers, visit bookitprogram.com.
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