The chill in the air and the shorter fall days make this the perfect time of year to snuggle up with a great book or two.  As an educator and a Mom, I believe that reading to your children is one of the most rewarding experiences.  Consider the advantages your child will have in vocabulary, self-esteem, and communications skills.  The benefits are endless.  Selfishly though, I love reading with my children because it provides a rich bonding experience, especially at this time of the year.  There are so many ways to enjoy reading with your children.  Here are a few ways to make reading a fun part of your everyday life.

Develop family reading routines and rituals

Find a regular time of day to incorporate reading into your routine.  You can read in the morning, after school, or before bedtime! Making story time a cozy routine makes reading an essential and pleasant activity for everyone.

Read what interests your child

Consider magazine, newspapers, recipes, maps, catalogues and game instructions as great reading material if your child is interested.  Follow thier  lead.

Find books are relevant

Making connections keeps kids reading. For example, you can read Maisy Goes to Museum  with your child before or after visiting the Museum of Nature. Have you seen these fun new Ottawa based books:  Halloween Scare in Ottawa, Love is all Around Ottawa and Santa Claus is Coming to Ottawa?  I love these titles for gift giving and for reading to my own kids!

Let your child select books

When you visit the library, let your child select books. Try both fiction and informational books, and ask the librarian for recommendations based on your child’s interests. Browse through titles online at Chapters or Amazon.  Organize a neighbourhood book swap.

Reread your child’s favorites

It’s common for young children to request the same book again and again. Re-reading familiar stories offers children a chance to absorb information over time and lets them master the whole story.

If you have some great ideas to build family literacy, share them with me here.  I would love to add your thought.