Summer Reading Activities

I am not a mother, but I do have a passion for something that is best addressed when someone is a child. Reading.

Summer is a great time to work on cultivating a love for reading with your children. Here are a few suggestions:

1) Pick a non-fiction book to read with your kids each week. You might choose a variety of things, for example, a book about an animal or a place (like the airport or fire station). Try to arrange a real-life activity to coincide with the book. So maybe Monday you read a book about turtles together and then Tuesday you go visit the pet store and the turtles. You should probably call ahead to make sure they have some turtles, though. Books introduce us to the world and inform us. You might be surprised by how much you learn from these books and how much you enjoy seeing it in person as well.

2) Start a book club with your kids. If your kids are old enough to read, pick some books that you can read together and talk about. Make book club time a special time. Have special snacks and hype it up. Your kids will love it. If you have friends with kids the same ages, you might make the book club a little bigger!

3) Read out loud to your kids. Start a series of books to read before bed time or naptime. There are so many good ones out there!

4) Put on a play of a favorite scene from a book. Plan a special performance for grandparents or neighbors. Help your kids make costumes, but let them take the lead. :)

These are just a few ideas. Always remember that one of the most important things is that your kids see reading is important to you. Model to them that you are a reader! Make time for yourself to enjoy a great book!

We will have more ideas next week at The Friendly Book Nook's Summer Reading Extravaganza!