September is National Literacy Month and we’re celebrating by bringing you everyday ideas you can use to read with your child. And the best part, they don’t cost a fortune; some are even FREE. So, if you’re ready for reading fun, go ahead and get started.
Book Exchange
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on books to read with your child. Trade in books you don’t read as often at a used bookstore or book exchange. Your child will have fun picking out “new” books.
Library
You can make the library a weekly or bi-weekly field trip. Many libraries also have story time, which your child might enjoy. Ask your library for more information.
Apps
If you have a tablet (such as an iPad) or smart phone, you can find books and interactive games that read to and with your child. And many games and books are FREE.
I-Spy
Help your child learn to recognize the letters of the alphabet by playing I-Spy. Whenever you see a letter your child is learning, simply say something like, “I spy the letter A.” Your child then looks for that letter. If your child can read, even simple words, you can do the same activity by saying, “I spy the word book.”
Cooking
Use a recipe in you cooking and have your child help you by reading the recipe. You can also incorporate the same method in other activities such as shopping and driving; have your child read the shopping list or road signs.
Art
Create reading art with macaroni, sprinkles, pebbles, flowers, construction paper, or crayons and paints. As your child learns new words, you and your child can create art from those words and display them somewhere he or she will continually see throughout each day.
Writing Stories
Help your child write his or her first book, with pictures and words. If your child doesn’t yet know how to write, you can have him or her dictate the story to you as you write it out. Later, you can use the book to help your child learn to read.
What do you do to help your child develop reading skills? Are there special games or songs you do together? Please share.
