Tips for Reading At Home
Reading comprehension skills don’t just develop in the classroom — we all have a role to play in supporting students’ reading habits. As a parent or caregiver, you can help your student discover the wonders and joys of reading from a young age. Here are some other ideas to help your young student develop a love of reading early on:
20 Minutes a Day
Read with your child or encourage them to read independently for at least 20 minutes each day.
Create a Routine
Set up regular reading times when your student is home from school, like before bedtime.
Get Cozy
Help your child create a dedicated spot to read at home. It could be as simple as a special chair or pillow fort.
Track Progress
Create a reading accountability system like a reading log for your refrigerator or wall.
Building Your Child's Library
One of the best ways to get your child excited about reading is to ensure they have access to plenty of books that interest them. Here are some great resources to help build your child's personal library at home:
- Imagination Library: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children from birth to age five. Click here to register.
- Little Free Libraries: The Little Free Library initiative seeks to ensure free access to books for all ages in every community. Through this program, local community members set up mini libraries in their neighborhoods where neighbors can drop off and pick up books 24/7. Here in Battle Creek, you can find them at the following locations:
- 97 Helen M Montgomery Ave.
- Orin St. and N. Washington Ave.
- 25 Latta St.
- 55 Laurel Dr.
- 265 E. Emmett St.
- Click here to find more locations
- Local Bookstores: Bookstores are great places to discover new topics and titles to spark your child's interest. In addition to a wide variety of titles for purchase, some also offer programs and promotions that include free and discounted books as well. Here are a few local options in our area:
- Barnes & Noble - 5701 Beckley Rd, Battle Creek, MI 49015
- New Story Community Books - 114 W Michigan Ave, Marshall, MI 49068
- Used options: The cost of new books can add up pretty quickly, but finding gently used options is a great way to build up your child's library quickly and cheaply. Check out local thrift stores like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Charitable Union. Or, during warmer months, check out local yard sales, and you may just hit the book jackpot - especially if you happen to find one from a retired teacher!
- Check out digital options: While phone and tablet time should certainly be limited and monitored carefully, these devices can also be used to increase reading time. Apps like Amazon Kids+, Epic!, and Hoopla (free with your library card!) offer great options for e-books, audiobooks, and more!
- Ask Your School! Every BCPS classroom has been outfitted with more than 1,000 books, including a diverse mix of topics and reading levels. Our schools also feature vending machines where students can earn tokens and pick out a new book. Be on the lookout for free books at parent-teacher conferences, literacy nights, and other school events. You can always feel free to reach out to your child's teacher and ask to borrow a couple so they can read them at home.
Online Learning Resources
Willard Library's YouTube Page
Our friends from Willard Library add great new videos every week on YouTube, including read-alouds in English and Spanish, and even one of our very own teachers (and Mrs. Battle Creek), Mrs. Babcock.
Reading Comprehension Tips
Whether your child is reading independently or you're reading to them on your lap, it's important to ask questions to make sure they understand what's happening in the story.
Tips on Reading to Kids
Check out a few tips from C.S. Mott Children's Hospital on how to make reading fun and engaging for your child (and for you!).
The Importance of Talk & Play
7-year-old Molly Wright gives a powerful Ted Talk about how talking, playing, and building connections from day one can help children develop early learning abilities and literacy skills.