Blogging A to Z: Know When to Stop
As much as I love to read and believe it’s the answer to all your questions and problems! That’s not accurate. Reading should be fun and enjoyable for your child and for YOU! If it feels like a chore for you to read aloud, guess what? Your kid is going to get bored real quick and feel like it’s not fun either. Which leads me to my next early literacy tip – Know when to stop!
That’s right, there will be times when reading is not the answer. Whether your little one is feeling frustrated or antsy, tired or hungry. There will be times when reading is just not going to work. And you know what? That’s okay. I would say that if reading is a time when your child has your undivided attention and typically enjoys it, it’s more likely that reading might help calm them down because it’s comfortable and familiar, but that’s not always the case.
New Ways to Make Reading Fun
So what do you do when you feel like your reading aloud game is in a rut? Try some new books! Stop by the library and if your lucky ask the librarian for some favorites or tried-and-true storytime books that work every time. I’ll let you in on a secret – children’s librarians love children’s books and what to share what they know with you!
Maybe try reading in a different location. If you’re always reading before bed, try bath time, lunchtime, or during arts and crafts. As I mentioned yesterday, kids process things differently, so reading while they’re engaged in a quiet activity might make sense!
Find a friend, neighbor, family member who can take the reading reins a little bit! Switching up the reader will also be new and exciting for your little one (and may give you some hints on how to read in a different way!) Whatever you do, remember, reading should be a fun activity you and your child share together!
There is no theme to today’s list of board books and picture books, except to say you should check them all out! You never quite know what your little one will gravitate to!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Book List #11 – Know When to Stop
- Bedtime Bonnet by Nancy Redd, illustrated by Nneka Myers
I love this story as it shows all the different ways a Black family takes care of their hair! - Bird Hugs by Ged Adamson
Bird’s wings are too long and he can’t fly, but he learns exactly how to use his wings and his friends love it! - Dozens of Doughnuts by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Brianne Farley
All Bear wants to do is eat doughnuts, but as his friends keep stopping by, he has fewer and fewer doughnuts for himself until they’re all gone! - Dragons Are Real! by Holly Hatam
A fun little board book into the secret world of dragons! - How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends? by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Mark Teague
Jane Yolen has created a series of books all about how to behave, just like dinos! - If You Come to Earth by Sophie Blackall
A perfect title to share for Earth Day, this book is all about taking care of our planet. - Marta! Big & Small by Jen Arena, illustrated by Angela Dominguez
Filled with animals, this book looks into opposites with Spanish sprinkled throughout. - My Cat Looks Like My Dad by Thao Lam
A look at all different types of families that share one thing in common – love. - A New Day by Brad Meltzer, illustrated by Dan Santat
Sunday is tired of being a day and quits, which leads the other days of the week to go in search of a replacement! - One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller by Kate Read
Counting from one to ten has never been as exciting as this story! - Touchthinklearn: ABC by Xavier Deneux
A very touch-friendly book with cutouts and layers which helps a little one identify the alphabet. - Your Place in the Universe by Jason Chin
Perfect for preschoolers who have lots of questions about space, Jason is able to explain it easily and accessibly
If you’re interested in purchasing any of the titles on this list, please use my affiliate link for Bookshop.org. When you purchase from this link, I will earn a commission as an affiliate.
For the month of April, I’ll be sharing early literacy tips and book lists as part of the Blogging A to Z Challenge. Learn about the importance of early literacy and ways to incorporate tips and tricks into your family’s daily routine. Developing language skills before kids head to school helps them to be ready to learn when they reach school-age. In addition to great content, you’ll also get a new book list for each letter, resulting in over 300 board book and picture book suggestions for your family to enjoy!
