importance of reading to children

Kindergarten Readiness – Everywhere a Book

Well, maybe not everywhere, but in many places. Part 1, yesterday, talked about areas, in addition to home, where parents and caregivers can access books for little ones. Part 2 continues today with more ideas.

Some towns and cities have book and story times for children offered as community recreation programs, for instance a  Tots and Tales Time. Local health units or health authorities may also have activities such as Mother Goose for stories and singing. Sometimes, schools have programs for children not yet attending but in the neighborhood. School libraries often have book fairs and sales. You might be able to phone the school near you and ask if they have any book sales or book fund-raising events scheduled. Public libraries, too, sometimes have sales of books that are a bit too worn for much  more handling but can survive for another child or two. I’ve been able to find some that only cost a dime or a quarter! (And, yes, that was this century.)  Secondhand or used book stores often have a children’s book corner or shelf. Secondhand or used kid’s clothing and toy stores may have books for sale, as well.

New books may not be in your family’s budget but there are many other places where adults can find books for kids. Reading and sharing books is so important for children’s development and kindergarten readiness. What better treasure can you give your child than the wonder of books?

Kindergarten Readiness – Here a Book, There a Book

Reading books at home or at your care center is one way to provide children with books but there are other ways, too. Going to the public library in your area for children’s books and for story time is an obvious one. Book stores often have book readings for kids. Did you know that some children’s clothing and toy stores also have story times? Nearly all doctors and dentists have a little corner with toys and books as well as other offices such as real estate and insurance agencies. 

While this isn’t a kindergarten readiness project or learning activity, when children see books around them in all kinds of different places, they get the message that books are used by many people every day. Today, as you are out and about with your child, count how many places you discover books.

Q. What game can you play at the library? A. Peek-a-book. What do you do at the library?

Kindergarten Readiness – 1 Little, 2 little, 3 little

1 little, 2 little, 3 little storybooks, 4 little, 5 little, 6 little storybooks,
7 little, 8 little, 9 little storybooks, 10 little storybooks.

Another Way to Enjoy Books

Storybooks are only one of many different ways of enjoying books. Nursery rhymes, once-upon-a-time tales, and comic books are some other ways. There’s poetry, magazines, books with cd’s, cookbooks, craftbooks, travelbooks and other information books too. Some picture books have no printed words at all, only images. Audio books are books without any pictures, only words. Songs are a form of story.

Think of a bookbank for your child. A great variety as well as a great number of books builds up over time to a rich total in your child’s account. This investment has big pay0ffs for kindergarten readiness and school success for children. What are some other forms of books?

Kindergarten Readiness – Books to Eat?

For blog entries on Saturdays, I like to include ones with more of a weekend appeal than a Monday to Friday feel. Kindergarten readiness activities fit right in with what you are already doing and have an element of fun, but weekend ones need a special note. After all, it’s the weekend! Sometimes, I’ve suggested an … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness – Books to Eat?

Kindergarten Readiness – Vitamin Book

As parents and caregivers, we encourage children to develop healthy habits, like eating nutritious foods, washing hands, and getting exercise and enough sleep. That’s care for the body. There’s care for the mind and getting exercise for the brain. I like to think of stories as Vitamin Book and a daily dose of a few minutes reading is best. … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness – Vitamin Book

Kindergarten Readiness – Resolution to Read #5

No matter if your child is starting kindergarten this year or even 3 or 4 years down the road, reading a story several times a week is one of the best kindergarten readiness activities. It’s a fun resolution to keep, too. Books that have a repetitive pattern–such as the Gingerbread man who says ” I can … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness – Resolution to Read #5

Kindergarten Readiness – Resolution to Read #3

Reading a book to a little one is such a wonderful way to spend a few minutes. And it has tremendous benefits for brain development and kindergarten readiness. When either you or your child have picked out a book to read, look at the front cover. Comment on the picture and ask your child what … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness – Resolution to Read #3

Kindergarten Readiness – Resolution to Read

We almost had a snow day but overnight the temperature rose and we woke up to rain. Some of my favorite kids’ books are all about snow. If your kids are very young choose one with only a few words on each page like Snow, by Eastman and McKie, that says: Snow, snow, come out in the … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness – Resolution to Read