Start early! Babies benefit from seeing print, hearing words, manipulating pages, and, most of all, hearing your voice.
Practice often and establish a routine.
Point out and trace specific letters, numbers, and shapes while reading.
Ask open-ended questions while reading.
It's not about you! Children gain literary confidence hearing the same books over and over and over.
Keep reading time relaxing and fun. Don't force it.
Make yourself fun to listen to! Change up your volume and pitch, try different voices, etc.
It's okay to skip around, start in the middle, or stop before the end of the book.
Don't hesitate to read books aloud that your children aren't yet ready to read by themselves.
All things in moderation—including "level" books.
Get a library card! Check in with your local library to learn about summer reading programs, ongoing events, and all kinds of other fun activities. Ask your librarian for book recommendations and additional guidance and resources!
Compiled by Debbie Hassi, Youth Services Manager, The Public Library Albuquerque and Bernalillo County
ZERO TO THREE Zero To Three, a national, non-profit organization focused on improving the lives of infants, toddlers, and their families, has this excellent guide, available as a PDF online, to reading to children. (zerotothree.org)
CINCINNATI'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL The website for this Cincinnati medical center has lots of great information, but we especially like this article from the blog. (blog.cincinnatichildren.org)
BOOK DESERT MAP We live in a desert here in New Mexico, but we don't have to live in a book desert. Check out this interactive Book Desert map from Unite For Literacy, then discover additional resources and information on the organization's website. (unitebooks.com)
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN As the NAEYC states, "Children who have lots of experiences with books absorb the rhythms and patterns of language and, at surprisingly early ages, begin to imitate the language and gestures their parents and caregivers use while sharing stories, sometimes turning pages and murmuring as they 'read' the pictures." Bookmark this website for great book recommendations, tips on how to read to a child, making reading fun at any age, and more! (naeyc.org/our-work/families/read-together-support-early-literacy)
THE CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE Though this organization is focused on the children of Oregon, the website has a bounty of resources and information regarding childhood literacy, especially for kids up to 3rd Grade. (childinst.org/earlyliteracyresources/)
HARVARD UNIVERSITY'S CENTER ON THE DEVELOPING CHILD We recommend visiting this website not just for its resources around literacy, but also for the wealth of information parents, caretakers, teachers, policy makers, and others can find to support kids on a number of topics. Scan the Resources Library and filter by topic. (developingchild.harvard.edu/)