Reading together is a great way to spend quality time and bond with your child!
Here are some ways to be more present during and after you read together:
- Change your reading environment: if you’re reading a wintery book, read it outside in the snow; read books by flashlight/firelight; read books on an indoor or outdoor picnic.
- Let your child tell you a story using wordless books. Ask questions to help get your child started.
- Make foods mentioned in books.
- Read books that include words you find hard to pronounce or are in another language. It’s good for kids to see adults struggle with reading too sometimes.
- Keep talking about book characters – ask your child how the Pigeon, Curious George, Batman, other favorite characters would handle a situation.
- Plan field trips cased on what you read: visit the zoo, go on a hike to look for birds, etc.
- Ask your child tons of questions about books as you read them. Make sure your child knows to stop you when they don’t understand.
- Remember book choices don’t always have to be serious and older children may love books written for younger children.
- Go to a free storytime event, or find one online.
- Listen to audiobooks in the car, before bed, or whenever
Adapted from Read Brightly.