Reading enhances a child’s vocabulary, improves language skills, and increases focus. Also, who doesn’t love a good story? It’s important to teach kids to want to read at an early age. Here are some tips that will help make reading fun.
Play Reading Games
These games will help make reading time a blast for the whole family. Give some of these a try.
Word Scavenger Hunt
Read a paragraph or two out loud. Give the children a list of 8-10 words to find in the text. Reward them with incentives.
Word Bingo
Craft a list of keywords in a book passage. Read each word out loud, allowing 15 seconds for the participants to find the word. Whoever finds the most words is the winner.
Secret Words Search
Give each child a piece of text and a few colored pencils or markers. Create a secret word list with each word spelled out in a different color. Read a word out loud. Have the kids hunt for it in the text, circling the word in the color it is written in.
True or False
Read a story. Follow up with statements about the story that are either true or false. Let the kids figure it out. Add some grammar concepts in the mix as well for an additional challenge.
How to Encourage Your Kids to Read
Here are some ways you can get your little ones into the habit of reading.
- Read a book yourself. Be a role model.
- Read with your kids before bed.
- Get a library card. Libraries also have summer reading programs and activities.
- Create a book club with family members or friends.
- Plan field trips based on information you have read about in a book.
- Let children choose what to read.
For over 50 years, Harbor Child Care has provided quality early childhood education and services to over 20,000 young children. We have six centers across Nassau County and are one of the largest not-for-profit organizations dedicated to full-day childcare, early childhood, and school-age education on Long Island. We also offer summer camp and enrichment opportunities. Contact us today to start your child’s educational journey.
