We promote reading not only as a lifelong habit but also as a means for families to connect. Reading activities can be bonding time. Research reveals that children who begin their lives with the benefit of supportive, engaging interactions with parents and caregivers, and safe, stimulating early environments are well positioned to succeed in the K-12 system and mature as responsible, productive members of their families and communities.
Shared Reading Activities
The following activities can be used either to promote reading at home or as a way for educators and families to connect, which builds important bridges between educational settings and home.
Reading Time
Data shows that reading just 15-30 minutes to your child each day makes a significant difference in the language skills they acquire. A recent study by Ohio State University's Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy suggests that reading just one book a day to your child will expose them to almost 300,000 more words by age 5 than a child who isn't read to.
Establishing a daily reading time and space is a great way to make reading a lifelong habit. That doesn't mean that you can't engage in spur-of-the-moment reading. Any time spent reading together is likely to strengthen bonds with a child and reinforces reading as a fun activity.
A Special Place for Books
Make books and reading feel special by providing an opportunity to decorate a cardboard box or plastic container that can be used to store books at home. Families can personalize the book box by adding their child’s name, colorful stickers, and bows. Creating a special place to keep books reminds children where to find their books, especially if they're kept next to their favorite reading spot. This book box can be the perfect place for children to store their Nebraska Growing Readers books.
Reading Focused Events
You can create excitement about books and encourage families to take books home by holding a special event at your facility. Here are some ideas for having fun with the families you serve:
- Breakfast and books: Who doesn't like a little breakfast at drop-off time? Put out your NGR Book with display signs and invite your families to peruse while they enjoy a tasty treat.
- Book themes: Create an event around a particularly relevant book theme for your families. Maybe it's farming or cooking a particular type of food or celebrating a local place. Whatever the theme, be sure to have the book(s) available and remind families they are free!
- Book boxes/baskets: Invite families to join you to create special places where children can keep their NGR books. Provide decorative supplies that will give families opportunities to bond over decorating a book holder such as a basket or plastic bin. And be sure to provide plenty of NGR books to fill those bins.
A Local Visitor
Do you know someone important to your local community? Invite them to speak to your children and share a book about the importance of community members. Let them read the book and talk about what they do. Collaborating with the families you serve can be a great way not only to share work being done in your community, but also to create important bonds with children and families.
Mirror an Activity
Books are about experiences, sometimes those children have been through and sometimes not. Pick up a book with an easy and fun activity and mirror it in your space. Some great NGR books with easily re-creatable experiences are Moving Day Made Fun, The Fruit Market, Puppies at the Park, and How Does It Feel. You'll find plenty of other possibilities in the NGR Digital Library!
