9 Things I Did To Turn My Kids Into Bookworms
9 Things I Did To Turn My Kids Into Bookworms
I received a beautiful floor lamp from my friends at Brightech to help create this post. All opinions are my own in this post, which contains affiliate links.
What a gift it is to read to children. When they're little they beg us to read their favorite books over and over again. And hopefully, we comply. It's not always easy, but my kids' love for books has taught me that those hours of reading have paid off.
Here are a few ways that I have turned my elementary aged children into book worms. Read along and share with me how you excite your children to read.
Create Space to Read
No matter their age, every child (and adult!) loves a cozy reading nook. Design your space with perfect lighting and the rest will fall into place. I prefer a floor lamp that can be moved as needed to create just the right amount of overhead or angled lighting for evening or early morning reading.
My new Caden floor lamp from Brightech is the perfect addition to our window-side reading nook. Our home decor is mostly transitional and I love the modern lamp shade with more traditional details of the Caden model. Brightech's mission is to democratize home decor and they've done it with their design focussed lighting collection. You'll find modern looks like their Montage design and architectural pieces like Jaxon and Emma.
With innovative packaging solutions, I simply unrolled my lampshade and clipped it onto two metal rings that fit on top and bottom. A velcro closure secures the shade and keeps the lamp affordable and durable.
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Have Reading Material on Hand
Resist the temptation to put away books, magazines, even catalogs left sitting on coffee tables and counters. Studies have shown that having reading material out and in plain sight helps us to engage and read.
The fewer barriers to picking up a book to read, the more likely our kids will be to read them!
Lighten Up
Create reading zones for day or night with ample lighting. Tired eyes are less likely to sit down with a book or magazine so ensure that good lighting is always at hand.
I love the way Brightech's Caden floor lamp provides a broad lighting ring with its swinging arm and bright, yet soft and energy efficient LED bulbs. These bulbs are included with every purchase so you simply unwrap, assemble your lamp in 5 minutes and you're ready to read!
Time Is on Your Side
Create a lasting love for reading with your children when you set reading routines. The most obvious reading time is before bed, but it's fun to establish other reading moments throughout the day.
Sharing a bit of news or a sports report from the morning paper is a fun tradition that we enjoy.
Sort it Out
Let kids help sort the daily mail and let them flip through fliers and catalogs.
Photo courtesy of Jonas Jacobsson at Unsplash
Lending Library
Teach kids the value of sharing and responsibility when you get them their very one library card. Our library system allows children to register for their own card as part of their parent's account.
Create a special tradition in a weekly or semi-monthly trip to your local library. Let kids select a couple of fiction stories, one non-fiction book and an appropriately rated video for fun. You won't believe the excitement you'll create when you remind the kids of the weekly trip. Just remember to turn in books on time!
Create Incentives
My favorite reading tool continues to be a punch card and reading log of sorts. Kids use these printable reading punch cards I created and earn small treats as they go.
Read Day or Night
Allow children to read whenever they like, within reason. Create bedtime routines that help kids wind down and log reading minutes when they cozy up in bed.
Ensure they have a sturdy bedside table lamp that's easy to turn off when it's time to say good night.
Photo courtesy of Annie Spratt at Unsplash
Be Tech Savvy
Protect your kids from too much screen exposure when you employ a no screens during the school week rule. This has helped our family beyond measure!
Expectations were set in preschool and while there is some occasional 'push back,' in general the kids know the rule and abide.
Let's Be Social
Thanks so much for sharing your social media love! Follow me on Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram. Tag #satsumasmiles to share your creativity and I'll share back.
HELLO THERE!
Today is a gift. Let's put a bow on it!
Find creative and sustainable ways to make family life a delight! Sharing modern etiquette that kids will enjoy.
💕 jennifer
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