Helping Families Find Pockets of Time to Read With Kids

If I just had more time, I could _______.  Fill in the blank. Chances are reading is one of the things we could put in that blank. Families and individuals often see reading as a luxury vs a necessity. But, we know how important it is for families to read with kids.

If we don’t make time to read, then we probably won’t read. There are so many things competing for our time from daily chores to lessons and practices. Reading often takes a backseat.

Here are some ways to help families find pockets of time to move reading to the driver’s seat.  Best of all, I’ve created a FREE printable list that you can send home to the families of your students.

Creating Pockets of Time to Read

Even though we want kids to read for at least 20 minutes a day, those minutes don’t have to be consecutive. I know I personally squeeze in a few minutes here and there throughout the day.

Grab these pockets of time to read.

• In the car (if your child doesn’t get car sick)
• Waiting for practice or a lesson to start
• Using the restroom (yes, have books in every room)
• Sitting in a waiting room at the doctor’s office
• Waiting for your table at a restaurant
• During bath time
• Right before bed
• At the dinner table
• Joining a book club
• Starting a Family Dinner Book Club
• Setting a weekly book date when everyone in the house reads at the same time
• Linking reading to a habit you already have in place (brush teeth then read a book)
• Turning off the television and other electronic devices and read instead
• Allowing a later bedtime to enjoy a book

Listening to audiobooks can also help those reading minutes add up quickly.  Here are some activities you can do while listening to an audiobook.

• Taking a walk
• Folding laundry
• Playing LEGO
• Coloring
• Riding in the car

Try these audiobook recommendations:

Best Audiobooks for Young Listeners

Audiobooks for Your Next Family Vacation

Never leave the house without a book.  Make it a cardinal rule to never leave the house without something to read (that includes your vacation.) You never know when you will have to wait somewhere so have a book on hand.

Along the same lines, always make sure to have books waiting to be read.  You can’t read something that you don’t have on hand.

Read what your family loves.  If your family is loving a book, they will want to keep reading.  Surround yourself with great books that capture the interest of the family members.

Carving out pockets of time to read will help kids clock reading minutes and more importantly providing opportunities for kids to fall in love with reading.

Are you ready to reach all of your growing readers and their families? Become a member of our Growing Book by Book community. As a thank you, you will get a printable list of these suggestions to share with families. Just click the button below.

 

Would you like more resources to share with families to help them develop confidence, time, and resources to build literacy skills at home? Get the Empowering Families to Find the Confidence, Time & Resources to Build Literacy Skills at Home.