Styling Librarian: Share a Story Shape a Future Reading and Writing from A-Z

“Share a Story, Shape a Future” button art by Elizabeth Dulmeba.

Today continues Share a Story, Shape a Future, a week-long annual event celebrating literacy for children.  Be sure to click on over to the main site for lots of additional resources and stories!

Reading and Writing from A-Z with your four year old:

 I thought about how many tips I’ve given over the years to parents who had children who were having a challenging time getting their child to be excited about reading and/0r writing. (Or just wanted new things to do!) Here are a few of my tried-and-true favorites:

1. READ ON! One component is to read aloud constantly through the years, have it be an expectation, tradition, special coveted time vs an obligation skipped when there’s a great show on. Carry around a book with you to read with your child if you have to run late errands or have a special evening event and find a special moment to read a book. Don’t know what to select? Ask an expert! Prefer online inspiration?
I collected a few of my favorite resources for finding books on this page:
http://www.only2clicks.com/pages/BradburyLibrary/604068

2. I also believe it is imperative to consistently bring your children to a library, even if you have an extensive children’s book collection. I went once a week even though I had 2000 children’s books for my son to select from in our home library. I wanted him comfortable navigating the library, familiar with librarians, and confident and excited about the visits. Notice I said a library, don’t just visit your public library! I  appreciated parents who visited my school library over the years who had young children and celebrated when a parent opened up a family library account. I still loan out 10 books to parents for three weeks at a time.

3. Encouraging games with reading and writing is also essential! I suggested these activities to parents asking for ideas: go to a new place and play “I-Spy” with signs around the area; ask your child what are special areas of the house and label each one with a sticky note (as it is safe) with the word name on it; have your child practice writing letters in sand or with play dough; have your child use a camera and take pictures of letters where they find them around the house or things that start with a letter, then make an alphabet of the collection until you have a complete set of letters;
Years ago I bought a book that was one of the most helpful, inspiring books for extending ideas on reading instruction opportunities for children. I had a fantastic time trying out all the games in this book over the years. Some weren’t my style but overall, I really enjoyed celebrating reading with my son and students. Look for this book at your local library if you need more reading game ideas: Games for Reading: Playful Ways to Help Your Child Read by Peggy Kaye:

4. Celebrate authors! I can’t say anything more about celebrating authors as much as http://www.happybirthdayauthor.com blogger Eric VanRaepenbusch can! He celebrates author birthdays and books through the year with his children inventing fun games, cooking activities, art projects, and so many innovative, fantastic ideas shared in every post that you’re sure to be able to select an author you like from his vast collection and have fun celebrating books and authors!

5. Provide down time. Let your child be bored and celebrate that they can let their imagination lead them to new ideas, games, activites, writing projects and books. If they have a difficult time transitioning from being bored to writing/reading, then direct them to art/writing on an easel or a special writing journal or a book. Have books scattered around your home in special areas from next to the bed to a basket in the bathroom, try to have interesting and appealing books ready for grabbing and browsing.