Make Reading Sense-sational!

Here are some ideas for enhancing your reading time with your preschooler. Add special effects!

• If you are reading about a camping trip, set up a little tent and read by flashlight. 

• Reading about picking apples? Chew on crisp  apples as you read.

• Honk a horn when you read about cars and trucks. 

• Play classical music when you read a ballet story. 

Adding the senses to your reading time makes the book more memorable and allows you to create a unique shared experience with your child.

Be the Reading Role Model

Scholastic has just released its annual Kids and Family Reading Report. I was struck  by the following excerpt:

"Having reading role-model parents or a large book collection at home has more of an impact on kids’ reading frequency than does household income." - Scholastic Kids and Family Reading Report

Be that role model! What matters is that you show your child that reading is important. Besides having books, newspapers, magazines, e-readers all around your home, be explicit. Point out to your young child what, when, why, and how you are reading. Tell your child that you are searching for the latest score of your favorite team, looking for the perfect roast chicken recipe . . .  Or admit that you simply need a book to read to wind down from your busy day. Make it clear that reading matters to you.

 Make your home one that is rich in words.

Name It!

One way to build your preschooler's vocabulary is to emphasize the names for things. For example, if you pass a fire engine, talk about its function and how it may have gotten its name.

Be playful. Make up a riddle to encourage interest in and enthusiasm for words. For example, “What do we call that round yummy circle that tastes good with milk? Right! A cookie.” Then have your child make up his own riddle for you to guess.

Words = Fun!