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Making Reading Fun for Preschoolers
All parents want their children to have a love of reading, but many of us struggle with making reading fun for preschoolers. Often, little ones want to be up and running around, not sitting still and listening. How can we as parents promote those all-important reading readiness skills while keeping reading from becoming a chore? Here are 5 Easy Ways to Make Reading Fun for Preschoolers!
Don’t Force It
This is my number one suggestion on making reading fun for preschoolers. As moms know, the more you want a child to do something, the less they want to do it! Keep a fun and lighthearted mood during storytime. Try again later if your little one doesn’t show interest. Preschoolers will come around in their own time, especially if you continue exhibiting a positive attitude. Trying to force a child into reading will only promote a negative association with books.
Try Public Storytimes
Some children will listen better and be more engaged with someone new. Try visiting storytimes at libraries, museums, schools, bookstores, and other places around town to see if your child responds better to a new face and environment. Bonus, you get out of the house for a little while!
Have Your Child Pick the Book
Colton is much more interested when he’s listening to a story he selected himself. He has so many books that selecting just a couple can be overwhelming for him, though. Our system is that I pick out 5 or 10 books, then ask him which ones he wants to read at that particular time. Sometimes he will pick all the books; sometimes he only wants one. I rotate my selections every week or so to ensure that he (and I) don’t get bored. A huge part of making reading fun for preschoolers is ensuring that they aren’t bored! (Keeping a preschooler entertained is easier said than done, I know.)
Let Them Move
When Colton was very small, I wanted him to sit still in my lap and listen to a story. It didn’t take me long to realize that was never going to happen! He wants to be on the move. When it’s time to read and he’s made his book selections, I start reading and let him do what he wants to do. Sometimes he will hop into my lap, other times he wants to run laps around his room. He always finds his way back to me eventually! I figure it’s good for him to hear the words, even if he’s not listening intently at the moment. Letting him come around to reading on his own accord, as opposed to trying to make him sit still, is much easier for both of us.
Get a Personalized Book Just for Them
Everyone loves a personalized gift. I See Me! Books offers a wide variety of personalized hardcover and board books and gifts for all occasions: birth, holidays, and just because! I selected the My Very Own Trucks personalized book for Colton. At 2 years old, he’s obsessed with trucks and likes to point out every time he sees one on the road or in a parking lot.
When we were out to eat about a month ago, we saw a dog sitting in the driver’s seat of a truck, waiting for his owner. Colton still talks about that truck and dog today! He loves to tell us about the dog who drives a truck. So, I knew the My Very Own Trucks book would be a safe bet.
I loved showing him his very own personalized book when it arrived in the mail! Not only is it personalized with his first and last name throughout the book, but there is also a photo of him on the first page, along with an inscription from Mommy and Daddy. Seeing his picture in a real book was so exciting for him! I don’t blame him; I also thought it was pretty neat.
The premise of the story is that various trucks and machines are delivering letters to build the perfect name, which just so happens to be Colton! For example, a crane will bring the letter C, an old-time buggy for O, and so forth. I like asking him what each letter is (and seeing how many he can identify!) and he likes hearing about the different vehicles that are delivering them. Animals drive the vehicles, so he also likes discovering the different animals in the book. Maybe he’ll even find another dog driving a truck!
Colton’s My Very Own Trucks from I See Me! Books is a very popular choice during our storytimes. It’s one of my favorite books to read to him, so I don’t mind when he chooses it over and over (…and over!).
There is also a great educational component to the book, as I can already see him identifying more letters as we read the story more and more. Even at 2 years old, he recognizes the letters in his name. When we’re on the pages with his name, he will point to his name and say, “Me!” We practice saying his first and last name out loud as we read the book together.
We received the book as part of a gift set which included a matching placemat. He loves pointing out the different trucks and animals on his mat, and I like that it keeps him entertained while I try to get his food ready. Before I became a mom, I never realized how quickly I’d have to learn to get food on the table!
I also like the large letters used to spell out his name on the placemat. I figure the more opportunities he has to see and recognize his name, the easier it is going to be for him to learn to write and spell it when the time comes.
Making reading fun for preschoolers isn’t always easy, but I See Me! Books wants to help. They’ve generously offered to give away a free personalized book to one lucky reader! The giveaway will end on May 19, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. CST and is open only to U.S. residents ages 18 and over. Use the form below to enter the I See Me! Books giveaway and make reading fun for your preschooler:
Mamabops I See Me! Personalized Children’s Book Giveaway
Pin these 5 Easy Ways to Make Reading Fun for Preschoolers!
Want more giveaways? Enter to win a hardcover copy of I’m Going to Give You a Bear Hug [ends 4/21/17], a $75 PinkBlush Maternity gift card [ends 4/30/17], and a TinyGifts baby memory book [ends 4/21/17]!
67 Comments
I love these tips! I find allowing my daughter to chose the book is key. If I pick one it’s a fight (which defeats the purpose) but if I let her chose she loves it. Another rule we have is that if she brings me a book I’ll stop what i’m doing (within reason) and read with her. I really want her to be a bookworm so I’m trying hard to make sue she enjoys it.
Those are great tips, Shelby! I try to do the same if my son asks me to read to him. It helps to make reading a family activity!
We have an I see me book too and love it!! These are great tips. Teaching little ones to love reading can be tricky. I’m writing a similar post!
I love their books! And so does my son, which is the most important thing! I’m looking forward to seeing your post, Diedre!
Love these tips! My son definitely enjoys reading more when we’re at the library for story time 🙂
Mine too, Michelle. I think it helps to see the other kids sitting and listening to the story!
These tips are great! I am an early education advisor, and I think you are doing an amazing job with Colton. Recognizing the letters in his name is a huge first step–good job, mama! (This book is adorable, too.)
Thank you, Melissa! That means a lot to me! I always think he is doing well (of course, I’m his mom!) but it is so nice to get some outside approval. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!
I love the 1-2-3 Blast off with me book!! What a fun way to learn letters and numbers while being totally a part of it!
I think that one looks great too, Amber! My little guy is working on his numbers now, so he could definitely use a book like that.
i love this so cute! my 2 year old loves reading and i bet he’d get a real kick out of his own book! He chooses 3 books to read before bed every night and that’s worked great for us so far.
That sounds like a great system, Jessica! I’m sure he would love having a personalized book, too!
I love all these points! So far my son loves to snuggle up and read (he’s 2), but I’m sure that has the potential to change. 🙂
Thank you, Christine! It sounds like you’re doing a great job with your little man. Aren’t their little boy snuggles the best? 🙂
I haven’t seen these books before. What a fun idea! Another way we fit reading in is during meals sometimes. The kids are already sitting and usually quiet (mouths full kind of quiet). We have enjoyed many a book over PB&J!
That’s a great idea, Marielle! I’ll have to try it with my son!
I think I would choose Who Loves Me? All kids need to be shown as much love as possible.
I think that one looks great too, Darcy!
These are all really great ideas! My son loves to read, so I can’t imagine if he didn’t. I will definitely use some of these.
I’m so glad to hear that your son has a love of reading, Amanda! That is so important! Sounds like you’re doing a wonderful job with him.
I like your flexibility letting your little move around while you read and choose the books. I think those things help so much.
They’ve definitely helped us! As moms, we have to be adaptable to our little ones’ needs and wants. I try my best!
Such great pictures and tips! Sometimes Caleb wants to sit and read but other times he is bouncing off the wall! I love when he picks out his own books too.
Thank you, Steph! My little guy is bouncing off the wall most of the time! Haha. I think it’s just some kids’ personality. 🙂
I so needed to read this post! I have a 5 year old (he is my 3rd) so reading doesn’t happen too often. Thanks for the encouragement!
No problem, Karen! Glad it was helpful!
We love the I See Me! books! Our oldest has one, but we still need to get one for our youngest. Poor second kiddo misses out on all the good stuff. :p
Second child syndrome! Haha. They really are awesome books!
Such great tips, I love reading with the kids. We’ve been reading to the older one since he was a newborn and he can now easily spend an hour reading, whereas the younger one can hardly sit still!Love that personalised book.
I can’t wait until my son wants to spend an hour reading! I loved reading as a kid so I’m hopeful that he will as well. Sounds like you’re doing a great job, mama!
Great post! I wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award. Here’s a link to the post nominating you and the instructions for nominating others. You deserve it!
Sorry here’s the link. http://www.armywifewithdaughters.com/?p=910&preview=true
Ok I’m totally failing today. Here’s the actual link… I’ve got mom brain today. Congrats.http://www.armywifewithdaughters.com/2017/04/22/blogger-recognition-award-army-wife-daughters/
I totally understand about mom brain! No need to apologize. Thanks for the nomination! I’m going to check it out now! 🙂
Really great reading tips. So cute about Colton still still talking about the dog and truck. I am sure he enjoys his own special book! Thanks for linking up and have a wonderful weekend.
Thank you, Jennie! Hope you had a great weekend as well! 🙂
Im definitely gonna be stealing some of these tips as the twins are off to preschool in the fall.
#mummascribbles
So exciting! I hope they enjoy preschool! That is a huge milestone!
I would love to get a My Dinosaur Egg Hunt Personalized Bookfor my grandson. He is at the special age where they love dinosaurs.
I bet he would love a personalized dinosaur book, Anne Marie! My son loves dinos, too!
My little one is starting to look through book and point at things….still a little early, but never to soon to feed the fire
Never too early to start them on developing a love of reading!
These books are so cute! I would love to get my son the Who Loves Me book.
That one looks great! There are so many awesome options!
My dinosaur egg hunt would be another book that I would purchase.
My son loves dinosaurs, so I bet he would like that one too!
I would get the Speedster Personalized Book.
Great choice, Lauren! 🙂
My dinosaur egg hunt looks awesome.
I think so too, Anne! My son loves dinosaurs!
Loving the Pirate Tale gift set ~ youngest son would love it
My son would love that one, too! He loves pirates!
I love It’s My Birthday! Personalized Book
Thank You for the chance!
I think that one looks great, too! Thanks, Fiona!
I would love to get the “I can change the world” book for my daughter! Such a great gift idea!
Great pick, Courtney! I bet she would love it!
I would probably pick the My Little Book of Blessings Personalized Book!
That one sounds great! Thanks, Laura!
I have this same truck book for my toddler, He is truck obsessed! I’d like to win this for my friend’s toddler.
Aren’t these book great? The little ones always love trucks!
I want the Farm Friends book for my granddaughter.
That sounds like a great choice, LeAnn! My little guy loves farm animals. We’re lucky enough to live near a petting zoo and he loves visiting there!
I need to to thank you for this excellent read!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks so much for the post.
Thank you for reading!