The early reading stage can influence how kids feel about reading later on in life.
When mine were learning to read, I wanted to make sure that they grew up loving books.
So, I went on a journey to discover how to make reading fun for both of them.
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How to Make Reading Fun for Kids
Growing up, I remember having a wide variety to choose from when it came to reading.
The first step to making reading fun is making sure your child has access to reading material they enjoy. Include your typical story books as well as non-fiction books, magazines, and comic books.
Comfortable Reading Space
Every house is different.
When our kids were little we made a reading spot at the end of the hallway.
They had a very full bookcase and 2 mini beanbag chairs they could snuggle in as they read. Sometimes those beanbags and books made it out to our living room. And that was okay.
You might even consider creating your very own Reading Tent. These adorable tents are perfect for encouraging early readers to sit a while with a few picture books.
High-Interest Reading Material
That comfortable reading spot is only half the battle. You need to have books the kids WANT to read.
When it comes to early readers, I look for books with eye-catching illustrations and only 2-3 sentences per page. (More than that and they tend to panic before they even try to read the page.)
And don’t forget chapter books!
Bedtime is the perfect time for reading chapter books aloud to young kids.
When choosing a good chapter book, I look for one that I know will draw them in. I love it when I finish reading a chapter and they beg me to read “just one more!”
If you are looking for a chapter book series to read aloud to early readers, we suggest:
As kids get older, don’t limit them to books that are “in their level.” Allow kids to read books that may be “below their level.”
Likewise, if your child wants to try a book you think may be too difficult for them, let them try! Being able to choose the books that interest them, without having to always worry about the book’s level, will make reading seem like less of a chore.
Reading Games
Games are always fun for kids. When it comes to early readers, you can get them excited about learning to read with a few simple Sight Word Games.
There are lots of different online games for beginning readers, but for young readers I really like games that add some type of movement into reading as well. One of our favorites is using large packaging bubbles to play Sight Word Pop.
If you have stairs in your home, your child may enjoy practicing sight words on the stairs.
And with all the zany characters from his books, these Dr. Seuss sight word games are lots of fun.
Reading should be fun! These simple ideas will help your child enjoy reading at home.
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OneMommy says
I’m hoping one day both my kids love reading as much as their parents do.