5 Ways to Sneak Reading into Your Child’s Routine

According to an article on the Playful Learning website, “Reading at home is an important predictor in creating and supporting lifelong readers. Family schedules however can be chaotic, so finding time to fit reading into your daily routines may seem like an impossible task.”

The following are five ways to sneak reading into your child’s day:

• Invite your child to bake or cook a recipe with you. Children love being given responsibilities. Make it their “job” to read the recipe and tell you what ingredients are needed. To improve your child’s vocabulary, adapt a recipe to include different verbs or new words.
• Listen to audio books in the car. There are amazing audio books at the library. Visit your local Citrus County Library branch to get book recommendations. So just turn off the radio and listen to a book.
• Encourage your child to carry a book at all times. By keeping books in the car, in backpacks, and even your own purse, you can hand your child a book to read during all of the “down times” that happen throughout the day.
• Make reading part of your family’s daily routine. Generally, bedtime is the easiest way to fit in reading. Your child is tired and usually doesn’t mind sitting still. But if this doesn’t work for your family, try a different time such as first thing in the morning, right after breakfast, waiting for the bus, or directly after school.
• Play road games with your child. While it is easy to use electronics to occupy your child’s attention in the car. A great way to continue to improve your child’s literacy skills is to play the traditional “Alphabet Game”. Have your child look for the letters of the alphabet in signs and words that you drive past.

For more insights on reading and literacy, check out a library storytime in person, online via our YouTube channel, @CitrusLibrariesDigital, or stop by a branch to see one of our Youth Librarians. You can also visit our website at www.citruslibraries.org, or follow us @CitrusLibraries on Facebook or Instagram for more information.