Encouraging Reading at Home

Many parents remarked that our recent Read to Feed activity really encouraged reading at home. That's wonderful! Now that it's over, you can still find ways to make reading a priority:

Read to and with your child. Schedule a set time each day. While reading aloud, read with enthusiasm and pick books that are above their reading level, but within their comprehension level.

Let your child pick material they are interested in. Encourage your child to start a collection of something, and then they can read up about their hobby. Perhaps your child likes to collect jokes or recipes – this will naturally lead to all sorts of reading opportunities.

Have books on tape in your home.

Help your child see reading is important. Set a good example for your children by reading newspapers, magazines and books. Model the enjoyment of reading. Show kids that there is a wealth of knowledge to be found – and when you read something interesting, share it with them.

Set up a reading area in your home, supplied with lots of books they will enjoy.

Change the location! Read on picnic blankets outside under the trees, drape blankets over tables and do a little flashlight reading.

And, most importantly, restrict the amount of TV and computer screen time. I would recommend no more than one hour of screen time per day.