Reading aloud helps your child build language skills that affect their entire lives. It’s so important that experts say you should begin reading to your infant! And, it’s not just the quantity of words spoken that matters- studies show that using quality words and the interaction with your child are also important.
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I read aloud to my firstborn every single day. 14 months later, my second baby came along and the reading slowed a bit. Now I have three small children and it takes some effort and planning to fit reading time into our day. Despite our busy schedules, reading aloud to small children regularly can be done! Today I’ll share a few of my favorite tools for fitting reading aloud to babies and toddlers into a busy schedule.
Tip #1: Choose books that you enjoy reading.
This is priority #1 at our home! Adults who read a book because they enjoy the experience teach their children that books are a pleasure and a treat. There are so many glorious children’s books that you shouldn’t waste your time on the bland, boring, or inane. I love this quote from C.S. Lewis:
“A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.” C.S. Lewis
Tip #2: Give your kids something to play with.
We love Lego Duplo at our house! Every week or so, we’ll grit our parental teeth and dump out our huge quantity of Duplo on the livingroom floor. All three of my little ones will build towers, houses, cars and trains, or just crawl around on the bricks. It’s a good time to read a few longer picture books aloud. On other days, I give the baby a snack and the girls crayons or playdough.
Tip #3: Set a timer.
It really doesn’t have to take long. Set a timer for five minutes and read a few board books. If you want to keep reading, and if the kids are interested in listening, set the timer for another five minutes. A few minutes here and there will add up, and are much easier to fit in to your life than 20-minute chunks!
Also, I have found that the more time we spend reading, the more capacity my kids seem to have for listening to me read. So while five minutes may seem like a stretch at first, you can eventually work up to longer sessions.
Tip #4: If you have older children, involve them in the reading experience.
Read a board book that encourages participation from everyone! An example is our family favorite “Dear Zoo”, which has flaps with various animals underneath. Stomp thinks that flap books are incredibly funny, and Wiggle likes to finish the sentences (usually at the top of her lungs). Giggle will occasionally take the lead reader role instead of me. Sometimes she even likes to sing the book to her own special tune. Everyone enjoys it when we read interactively this way.
Tip #5: Use audiobooks.
This is marvelous for those times when you just need a bit of a mental break, but you have a captive audience. For example, lunchtime is a major pivot point in my house- it’s almost time for our quiet hour, and I’m counting the minutes! I’ve found that lunchtime is more enjoyable and peaceful when a lively story is playing. Riding in the car is another perfect time for using audiobooks. I’ve also played an audiobook while the kids play in the shaded sandbox outside.
Audible, my preferred audiobook provider, has a “kids ages 0-4” category with some delightful classic children’s stories. Even very small children can learn from hearing higher-level stories and language. Don’t hesitate to play Beatrix Potter for your six month old at lunchtime. She will benefit from hearing the beautiful stories, the music and sound effects of the recording, and language that is different from what we use every day.
Tip #6: Give yourself a little grace.
If you didn’t read at all today, there’s always tomorrow. Just read as much as you can, as frequently as you can. Consider the total reading time goal for the week, and work toward that goal a little at a time. It adds up quickly, and it’s time well spent.
I hope these tips have given you some ideas for how to make reading time work for your family’s schedule. If you’ve got some of your own tips, comment below and share!