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* Motivating Kids to Read
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Creating Literacy-Rich Homes

Girl at BookshelfWhat exactly is a literacy-rich home? This describes a home environment that encourages children to become lifelong readers. Families can support language learning by creating a home atmosphere in which reading, writing, and talking are a natural part of daily life.

Parents can do lots of things at home to encourage reading. Reading aloud to your children is only one of them. Another is setting aside regular time for family reading, even just 10 to 15 minutes a day. And setting a good example — letting your kids see you reading — is very helpful.

Creating a literacy-rich home requires a good supply of things to read. Newspapers, magazines, books, and other reading materials should be within easy reach of the whole family. It doesn't matter if reading materials are owned or borrowed, new or used — what's important is that they are in your home and a natural part of everyday life.

Articles and Tips
Activity Ideas

Activity Icon (Small)Try one of the suggestions below or search the database of activity ideas.
  • Book Nooks
    A book nook is any inviting place for your children to read, away from the hustle and bustle of the household. Read more...

  • Climb the Beanstalk
    Show children how they can achieve great heights by reading: give them a book beanstalk to climb. Read more...
Web Resources to Explore
  • Kid Reading IconPBS Parents: How to Create a Literate Home
    http://www.pbs.org/parents/issuesadvice/
    This website offers a section devoted to the "literate home," which includes tips for setting up literacy-rich home environments for children
    ages 0-8.

  • Creating a Home Literacy Environment
    http://www.lili.org/isl/rlrtm2.htm
    This article, found on the LiLI (Libraries Linking Idaho) Web site, is exerpted from the University of Idaho Emergent Literacy Project.

 

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Look for more resources organized by your child's age group:
orange bullet  0-4
orange bullet  5-8
orange bullet  9-12
orange bullet  13 & Up
orange bullet  Whole Family

 
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