Reading with your children is just one way to help them get ready to read. Singing, talking, playing, and writing all help your children learn things they will need to read. These activities will give you ideas for things you can do with your children as you go about your daily routine. Stopping at the grocery store, waiting in a line, driving, and walking outside are all opportunities to learn with your children. Try each of the activities below for fun ways to help your children get ready to read!
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Reading Activities
Learning Letters
Knowing the letters and their sounds will help your children get ready to read and write. Help your children learn that letters have sounds and that these sounds make words.
Singing
Singing with your children is an easy and fun way to help them learn new words and learn the sounds that make up words.
Letter Lids
Want a free way to help your children learn letters? Turn old peanut butter and Tupperware lids into letter lids! This fun activity helps your children learn letters while using touch, play, and sight.
Talking Throughout the Day
Looking for a free way to help your children learn how to read? Talk with them everywhere you go each day. Talking helps them learn new words and the sounds that make up words.
Playing Simon Says
Simon says.... learn new letters with your children! The game Simon Says will have your children moving around, laughing, and learning new letters.
Talking During Mealtimes
Talking with your children during mealtimes is a great way to teach them new words and about the world around them. It's also a lot of fun!
Sharing Stories
Sharing family stories and memories with your children can help them learn new words and connect with family history.
Being Smart About Screen Time
Screen time (using a device with a screen, such as a phone, TV, or video game) is part of everyday life for most families. Use these suggestions to be smart about how you share screen time with your children!
Listening to Podcasts
Looking for an alternative to your children zoning out in front of a screen? Try listening to podcasts (radio shows you download) together! They are a great way to enjoy stories and have fun, even in the car.
Grocery Store Inserts
Kids can be expensive, but helping them learn to read doesn’t have to be. Check out our suggestions for using free grocery store inserts (also called fliers or circulars) to help children explore new words.
Asking Open-Ended Questions
Asking open-ended questions can help your children learn new words and develop their problem-solving skills.
Story Time
The Bunny who Walked on His Ears by Brian C. Taylor
Listen as Chris Carlson reads The Bunny Who Walked on His Ears. You’ll meet a lot of new characters – a Wattlefly, Tooth-a-saurus and even a Frittle! You will learn how to use the pictures to figure out what these words mean.
The Bunny Who walked on His Ears is written by C. Brian Taylor, illustrated by Sharon Butler and published by Brumby Run Productions. This story time video was created with permission from Brumby Run Productions.
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd
Bedtime is a great time for a story! Curl up with your children and enjoy Goodnight Moon together. The book has lots of pictures and just a few words, so fill up the extra space with your own stories!
Goodnight Moon is written by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd and published by Harper Collins Publishers.
Brown Bear by Bill Marti Jr. and Eric Carle
Do you see the same things as bears, frogs, and goldfish? There is only one way to find out!
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See is written by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle and published by MacMillian Publishers.