As a Reading Specialist, I’m always on the hunt for activities to foster a love of reading in my
children. What might surprise parents is that the strategies I use aren’t direct reading lessons!
These are all activities that I use with my kids as a reading specialist.
How does KidFriendlyVenues help? It’s a fabulous resource to find fun-engaging family
activities including comprehensive lists of libraries.

My Guide for Summer Literacy:

1. Regular Family Talks and Activities: I know my children’s literacy skills will rely on developing
   a hearty vocabulary. Ideas include:
   -Sing-Along: On your next road trip, have a playlist filled with nursery rhymes or engaging
   songs.
   -Ask Open-Ended Questions: When you are at a venue, engage in active conversations with your kids. When we were at Storyland Theme Park,(see my last blog on KFV), I asked my preschooler questions like, “Tell me about your favorite rides?” “Why was that your favorite ride?” “How do you think Cinderella feels?”
2. Create a Book-Friendly Home: I am always scouting library book sales, usually put on by
   Friends of the Library. (I’m almost hesitant to give away my biggest secret to having a large, and affordable, home library for my kids!) I’ll also make book wish lists when asked for
   holiday/birthday gift ideas.
   As a busy mom, it’s hard to find time to regularly go to the local library. Fortunately, many local libraries have easy options. With my card, I can simply type in books I would like and click request. Then the library staff collect all the books, and I can pick up all my kids' books to-go!
   We still love visiting our local library for fun & free literacy activities. Last week we made tissue paper ocean creatures, and glitter sandcastles.
3. Make Reading Aloud Fun - Not a Chore: Choose books that interest you too! Share topics
   you’re passionate about and find shared interests. I recently picked up the children’s book, “Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine.” I want to instill in my daughters that they can have
   interests like math/engineering/computers. My four-year-old loved it so much that she now begs
   for the “math book” before bed!
   Not only are non-fiction books beneficial! I love sharing with parents that fiction books also help build emotional intelligence in children.
   Bored by reading the same book over and over? Use silly voices! Ask your child what they think will happen next. Or make a trip to a local library, book shop, or book sale.
4. The KidFriendlyVenues app is a great way to find local venues for kids. For example, Sensory Seekers, a Children’s play venue my family enjoys, hosts an Early Literacy Playgroup this summer. 

Elizabeth H