It’s never too early to start nurturing a family of readers!

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Book Babies storytimes welcome parents and tots through age 3 onto the Storymobile to read, sing, talk and play. These weekly sessions are part-storytime, part-support group, providing help and encouragement from neighborhood parents sharing similar joys and challenges, and supporting parents as their children’s first teachers, critical to developing literacy and school-readiness. And, each month, families receive a resource bag stuffed with books and learning activities, delivered directly to their homes.

During the pandemic, Book Babies started holding storytimes online. You can join every Monday at 10 am on Facebook Live. Additionally, we are holding in-person storytimes on our Storymobile trucks every week in neighborhoods around the city.

The best way to get your child reading is to make it a regular part of family life. Whether your child is learning to sound out letters, struggling to take the next step, or just doesn’t “get into” reading, here are a few ideas to get the book train out of the station and chugging down the tracks:

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  • Show your child that reading matters – Children model their behavior after their parents’. So let your child see you read. Read to your child at bedtime. Take your child on a library trip and choose books together.

  • Spend time together – The more you talk to your child, the more your child learns about how words sound and fit together. Ask your child questions, answer your child’s questions, and tell your child stories.

  • Help your child hear the sounds in words – When you talk to your child, point out how certain words start with the same sound. Point out rhyming words. Sing songs and nursery rhymes to practice sound repetition and patterns.

  • Teach the ABC’s – Practice the alphabet with your child. Look for letters in signs, around the house, at the grocery store. Practice the sounds the letters make. Help your child write all of the letters.

  • Help your child learn what words mean – Every day, point out the names of new things around the house and outside. Teach your child the names of colors, animals, foods, and more. Teach your child new words. If your child asks you what something means, even if it’s a big word, explain. The more words you use in front of your child, the easier it will be for them to understand new words when reading. 

  • Practice reading – Read your child’s favorite book aloud. Then let your child read his or her favorite book to you. Take turns and read your favorite books together. Find a special, comfy place to read. Make sure you tell your child “Good job reading!”

Links

Literacy Resources

Racial Equity Resources

Tutoring Resources

 

Other Resources

  • Brown Mamas

    Creating a lane for black moms

  • Here Wee Read

    Contemporary living for book loving families

  • Kidsburgh

    Kidsburgh is all about kids! You can find all kinds of great activity ideas here