Tips for Reading with Children
Engaging in reading and other literacy-related activities with your child is a great way to spend time together. And, it's 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
