Keep Reading Aloud to Your Child Even After They Can Read Themselves
Reading aloud is a great way to stay connected with your child, open their eyes to new ideas and perspectives, and foster interestings conversations.
To Identify Good Books, Try The 3 Question Test
When you come across a children’s book you’ve never seen before, trust yourself to make good judgements, and use the 3 Question Test to help you.
Reading Should Be Like Chocolate Cake, Not Spinach
Most parents know that reading benefits children — a lot. It helps them do better in school, fosters social and emotional growth, and provides a foundation for lifelong learning. Knowing this, many parents naturally conclude: My kid has got to
Why Stories Matter So Much
Stories help us discover who we are, start important conversations, and help us understand and relate to other people. Tell lots of stories to your kids.
Help Your Child Discover These 3 Joys of Reading
My tenth-grade daughter recently told me she loved reading My Ántonia, by Willa Cather. I texted her asking her why she loved this book. Here’s what she wrote back: I loved My Ántonia because it’s like nothing I’ve ever
Having a Reading Self-Concept Is Even Better Than Enjoying Reading
Quick, fill in the blank in this sentence: “I am a ________________.” I’ll show you what I mean by sharing my results: “I am a husband, father, son, brother, Christian, entrepreneur, reader, writer, cook, and musician.” Try it. Self-concepts influence
How Your Child’s Questions Sow the Seeds of Reading Success
There’s a paradox at the heart of reading. It’s one that children can help solve when they’re three or four, if you let them lead the way. The paradox is this: The most important determinant of your child’s reading
What’s More Important to Teach Your Child: Letters or Sounds?
Imagine two parents, Jenny and Elena. They’re similar in many ways. They both have four-year-olds. They both want to help their children get ready for kindergarten. They both read to their children every night. But there’s a difference: Jenny and
Ignore Your Child. Go Read a Good Book Instead.
“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” — James Baldwin I have a radical idea for you today. If your child comes to you asking to play
The Magic of Book Talk
Conversation is at the heart of learning for preschoolers and books are a wonderful trigger for conversation. Here are some of my best ideas for using books as a starting point, but there’s no need to remember or use