Happy Tuesday, friends! Guess what? Today is the first post in our new series over here in blog world. I can go more into detail with each day this week
BUT I can give you a little preview today.
MONDAY- Make it for me Monday
TUESDAY- Top Ten Tuesday
WEDNESDAY- Where to Wednesday?
THURSDAY- Weekend Round Up
FRIDAY- Friday Favorites
I don’t know about you but I LOVE a theme, in a way it keeps things simpler and as a big ‘blog-consumer’ myself I look forward to what my favorites are posting when I know their theme and schedule. Most of these posts will have an Instagram reel posted too, be sure you’re following Babylon Moms over there on IG!
So here we go with our first Top Ten Tuesday- today we’re looking at our list of TEN ways to keep your kids reading this summer. Now okay, my oldest child is four years old he is just going into pre-k this upcoming September, there is no assigned summer reading and he isn’t sitting down to read himself a book.. BUT when the school year ended a few weeks ago I did get nervous that if I didn’t keep up with reinforcing the skills he learned with his letters (writing them, sounding them out) he would lose those skills or they’d fade. I knew I wanted to make it a point to get to the library at least once a week, keep reading at home, making it fun and in his case practice writing the alphabet. With all that said, I don’t have the experience yet of having ‘big kids’ and dealing with actual summer reading assignments… (even though I do remember being a kid and driving my Mom crazy that I was waiting until August to start reading, sorry Mom!)
These are the TEN ways to keep your kids reading this summer:
1. You can leave the books everywhere.
You can leave books in obvious places. (kitchen table, coffee table, the car!) The car is my most popular ‘random’ place, (I am an ex tablet-in-the-car-giver, so glad we broke that habit) but when we did, the books were a perfect replacement.
2. You can create a craft or activity.
Luckily, since the creation of Pinterest we no longer need to have our own creative thoughts, kidding, kidding. But really, I would bet that any book your child is finding interest in if you were to search that in Pinterest followed by ‘craft’ you would find something awesome.
3. You can set reading goals.
You know who loves a good ol’ chart? My 4 year old. Especially when there is a reward involved. In this case the reward doesn’t have to be a crazy bribe it can actually just be going to the library to get new books. We signed up for the 1000 Books before Kindergarten at the Babylon Library, you can sign up at anytime and get started.
4. You can visit the library!
This one might seem obvious but to be totally honest it wasn’t until I had kids that I realized how incredible the library is. They have so many activities and events for kids of all ages (and adults!)
5. You can find a series of books your child likes.
Recently we found a book at the library my son loved that he 100% chose by its cover (would have been great moment for a life lesson, but in this case it worked in his favor.) When we went back to return it and find something else we saw that the book was actually part of a series and there were 10 more books!
6. You can be the reading role model!
Modeling the act of reading is a big one. Announcing that its reading time or quiet time at home will benefit everyone.
7. Watch the corresponding TV show or movie as a special treat.
Another thing I’ve noticed for little kid books, more often than not they’ve made it a movie or tv show. Recently we’ve been in a Pete the Cat phase and I just found out there is an entire series on Amazon.
8. Read together often! Not just at bedtime.
I like this one! This goes along with leaving books out around the house and not just in their bedroom. I used to only do books at bedtime which led to a VERY long bedtime routine.
9. You can find seasonal or theme books.
Seasons, holidays, big events. Our favorite books when my son was becoming a big brother a few years ago, all big brother theme!
10. Make it exciting!
As I said, my oldest child is 4 years old so I don’t know yet the struggle of getting the big kids excited about reading especially over the summer. I do know though, just like anything else the more positive we can make the association to reading and the more regular we make it part of the routine the easier it’ll be to seamlessly keep reading going even after the school year ends!
THANK YOU for being here today! Make sure you’re following us on Instagram @babylonmoms and Facebook.
I’m working on adding all of our local resources to this site over the next few weeks, local biz owners please reach out if you’d like to be featured!
See you back here tmrw. 🙂
