Contributed by Maia Haag, founder of I See Me!
You can avoid the summer slide by helping your little one blossom into a reader this summer. Here are five tips to inspire your child’s love of reading.
After all, children who love reading live happier ever after!
Keep Books With You
According to author Emilie Buchwald, “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” Find a few spare pockets of time during the day to read your child a book. Having books handy in your car, throughout your home, or in your bag will remind you to make time for reading.
Turn It Off!
Slash TV time! Encourage reading as another form of entertainment. Invest in a bookmark with a timer so that your child can keep track of how many minutes are spent reading each day.
Make Your Child the Star of the Story!
Every child loves being the star of his or her own storybook. Personalized books from www.iseeme.com feature the child’s name throughout the story. Having your kids play a role in the books they read will make them feel special.
Read In Front of Your Child
Children love to emulate their parents. Make sure your child sees you reading the newspaper, books, magazines, etc. When your child sees you reading, he or she is sure to want to be just like mommy or daddy.
Take a Trip
Visit your local library once a week. Young children love going on field trips, and it is fun to spend time selecting new books. It’s also a great way to beat summer heat—and it’s free! Also, many libraries have free summer reading programs available to kids of all ages.
For more inspiration for developing a love of reading in your child, visit I See Me!’s Pinterest Board, “Inspire a Love of Reading,” at: http://pinterest.com/iseemebooks/inspire-a-love-of-reading/.
