It can be hard to dream up ways to help children integrate reading into their lives. We were surprised recently when we attended a non-reading event at a library, and our kids went nuts over all the books. It had not occurred to us that they had never visited a library before since they are preschoolers. Sometimes, finding just the right spark can be difficult, and this article by a mom is great because it offers practical suggestions beyond just reading books repetitiously to them. It matters how you read, and how you present the book choices just as much as simply spending the time. One suggestion that we might try for our kids is making up library cards, so they feel involved in the process of acquiring books. For older kids, getting them their own library card is a great idea so they feel some ownership in their book choices.

I must admit, I am a bit of a sucker for “been there, done that” type of advice from parents, especially if it delivered in a short and sweet format.  This article seemed especially useful because it offers strategies for kids of multiple ages, and also doesn’t put too much pressure on either the parent or the child.  The author is not advocating a militaristic approach to family reading time, but rather some simple ways to put more punch into the time that you spend together with books.  As with any activity, a child may need crafty encouragement, and this article offers a few good starting points for a lifetime of pleasant reading experiences.