When getting your kids excited to read, sometimes you follow your heart, and other times you use your imagination. Think back to your favorite memory of your favorite book. What was it about those books that inspired
you pick up the next story, the next story and the next story? Something about reading made a connection with you. Getting reading connected to your kids is where the fun begins. Yes, we all started our kids with board books and colorful pictures, but when lift the flaps, musical sounds and rhyming words take charge, kids get more interested. Making the transition to readable material and chapter books begins with exploring as many books as you can and integrating them in their life. Implementing a routine dedicated to reading is where kids make time for books therefore expanding their vocabulary, enhancing their reading skills and using their imagination.
When my children were small, we hardly ever missed storytime at the public library. It was a routine that began with books along with crafts and songs, but also ended with books. Every week, we would check out as many as books as we could carry. Some would be educational, some would be just for fun. Not only did we have storytime at bedtime, we also would take a few minutes either while waiting on dinner to cook and maybe take a book outside to sit on the backyard swing. For us, it was about enjoying books in not only the usual situations, but also making time to relax with a good story.
Finding your reading niche is where a love for reading begins. One of my earliest memories began with Archie Comic Books and evolved into picking novels to read on numerous family car trips. My love for reading grew into voracious appetite with entire series such as The Chronicles of Narnia and all the Little House on the Prairie books. As I got older, my brother and I would pass novels back and forth constantly to each other. Going to the book store was an adventure. Wherever you get your books, it’s about letting your child find what they like. Once that happens, they’ll continue to discover even more possibilities.
Putting their reading in action is also easy to do. Have your child share their favorite story with a younger sibling or let them read to their dolls or stuffed animals. Getting engaged in different ways is how books become part of their lives and memories begin. Once they catch on, asking them to take time to read won’t be such a struggle. The key is showing them different stories, different times to read and making it a fun adventure.
About: Valerie Sweeten, a native Houstonian, has over 25 years as a published writer in major news publications and is the founder/owner of the lifestyle blog, Hot in Houston Now. She is also the author of the children’s books, Shh, Listen: In the Rainforest and Shh, Listen: On a Safari. Living in northwest Houston, Valerie, along with her husband, their four kids and three mini dachshunds can be found out and about enjoying life as much as possible.
View the Macaroni Kid Katy Reading Guide for suggested books.
