While scrolling my Instagram feed I see one of those posts that stops you instantly. It was shared by one of my favorite mom influencers, Busy Toddler. She mentions how pulling out the summer bridge books is not the best way to prepare for kindergarten. Instead, being read countless books is best. After seeing this post, I look at my 4-year-old doing his summer bridge book and try to remember the last time we just read together. Then I spiral as I realize my youngest barely gets read to because life has been busy.
Reading is always going to help our kids in more ways than just educating them. Their kindergarten teachers will have them covered for academics. It is our job to nurture and support them through reading to get there. Getting your family reading more doesn’t have to be a difficult and is actually very doable.
Be Intentional
Reading with my first son was easy. We read every morning, he always had a book while he ate lunch, and we read every night. He even had a pile of books in the car. When we had another child, I thought we would just do the same with him. I wish that was the case, but honestly, it was hard to fit it in. There was always something to do and I had two kids to occupy versus one. Instead of books at lunch, our Google Hub was the source of entertainment. Books in the car turned into toys. My youngest son gets very tired at bedtime so reading seemed pointless during that time. All of these are my excuses for why it didn’t happen, and I needed to shift my mindset to being intentional about getting our family to read more.
I decided to revamp our schedule. Now, I read to my youngest when he wakes up while he drinks from his milk cup. He wakes up before his brother so this is the perfect time for us to have uninterrupted time. I also brought the books back to the car. It warms my mama heart to look in the review mirror at them reading while we drive. Bedtime has even shifted. I bring my youngest up a little earlier in order to make it work for him to listen to two stories before bed. Google Hub hasn’t fully gone away, but we now start with books. This routine works for my family, so I encourage you to look at your day-to-day and decide how you can add reading to your schedule. It doesn’t have to be an all-day reading adventure. Even adding one time each day where reading occurs will make huge impacts.
Take a Trip to the Library
If you aren’t already aware, we live in a fantastic area for libraries. No matter where you are located, there is a library near you with kid-friendly activities and events. Many offer story times during the week and on weekends. They also offer a summer reading program where they have evening actives such as guest authors. Most also provide hands-on activities and play areas for those rainy days. If you don’t want to haul the kids inside, you can pick up take-home activities that usually accompany a story. Some of our favorite libraries are:
Grand Ledge Area District Library
As you can see, Greater Lansing is covered with library choices. Getting your family reading more can be a fun field trip to the library and a great way to get out of the house. Check them out and find some more gems to add to the list.
Take a StoryWalk
StoryWalks are when picture books are printed on signs and spread out along businesses or walking trails. These are a fun way to stay outside while still incorporating reading. If you have younger kids, you can have them tell you the story using the pictures. Slightly older kids can identify letters they see. Bigger kids can be the leaders and read the story to you. There are a ton of options for how to do these and this blog post gives you the details on where to find the StoryWalks in + around Lansing.
If you want your family to read more, they need to buy into it. Creating authentic reading experiences can give your family a break from the screens, still keep you outside, and give you something to do together. Don’t forget to grab your book, mama. Your kids learn from what they see. Modeling the importance of reading shows them you believe in what you tell them. So, go grab those books and get reading!
