Tips for Reading with Children

It’s that time of year again.  Summer is here and children will soon be “bored.”  Engaging in reading and other literacy-related activities with your child is a great way to alleviate some of that boredom.  And, it’s as easy as ABC!

ALPHABET HIKE: During a walk, or while at the store, name items beginning with the letters of the alphabet in consecutive order (a – apple, b – button, etc.).

BOOKMARK IT: Make a fun and decorative bookmark.

CHILD’S BIOGRAPHY: Write a story with your child about the day he/she was born and other events from his/her life.

DRAW THE CHARACTERS: Bring the characters in a story to life by drawing them.

ENTERTAIN WITH READ ALOUD: Read aloud together.

FAMILY READING TIME: Everyone sits down to read his or her own book at the same time.  Children need to see adults read.

GO TO THE LIBRARY: Apply for a library card and check out books.  It’s free!

HIDE AND SEEK: Hide an object and give your child three-step directions for finding it.

INITIATE CONVERSATION: Children acquire vocabulary through oral language.  Talk with your child!

JOIN THE PROGRAM: Attend story times and other programs at your local library and bookstores.

KEY RING: Write new vocabulary words on an index card and place them on a key ring.

LABEL: Use Post-It notes to label items in your house (door, clock, etc.)

MAKE-A-BOOK: Write a story together and design your own illustrations.

NON-FICTION: Read about a famous person or a far-away land.

OPEN YOUR EYES: Describe a setting and have your child draw it as you describe it

PERSONAL JOURNAL: Keep track of the books you read together and write a sentence or two about each book.

QUICK ACTIVITY: Play rhyming games, ask your child to name ten things that begin with a specific letter of the alphabet, spell a word, etc.

READ ALOUD: Read with your child.  Make sure you talk about the book when you finish.

SCRAPBOOK: Make an alphabet, shape, color, or number book.

TELL A TALE: Let your child tell you a story from his/her imagination.  Then you do the same.

UP AND DOWN: Make a list of opposites.

VERBALIZE IT: Talk with your child as you play and do activities together.  Ask your child lots of questions and be sure to listen to his/her answers.

WISH UPON A STAR: Borrow a book of nursery rhymes from the library and help your child memorize the songs and stories.

“X” MARKS THE SPOT: Design and label a map of your neighborhood and have your child put an “X” on his/her favorite spot.

YES, I CAN!: Choose a book your child can read on his/her own and have him/her read to you.  Provide encouragement and praise.

ZOO VISIT: Get books about animals from the library and create a set of index cards of favorite animals by writing their name and drawing their picture.

Compiled from Bany-Winter, L. Family Fun Night: 140 Activities the Whole Family Will Enjoy. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2006; Warner, P. Summer Smarts for Cool Kids: Over 150 Fantastic and Fun Learning Activities to Help Kids Beat the Summer Blahs. California: Prima Publishing (Random House), 2002; www.child2000.org

Book suggestions made by Cleveland Reads

Questions? E-mail clevelandreads@uws.org