Reading

Encouraging your little one to read is so important, even if they aren't reading yet to sit down and just listen to you read can really ignite a love for reading.  I have always been a reader as long as I can remember and I want my boys to love reading as much as possible.  Books have always been an escape something to take you somewhere else, expand your mind, and kick start imagination.  If I think really hard I can remember some of the earliest books I loved.  I really loved The Monster at the End of the Book, countless Dr. Seuss books, and a Sesame Street Treasury book that I thought was the greatest.  As I got older, I read The Babysitters Club, Sweet Valley High, Judy Blume, and Nancy Drew.  I think it is amazing that a lot of these books still have active series going which is a testament to how great the stories engage children.

My oldest as I have mentioned on the blog previously is starting kindergarten in the fall.  In preschool I was given a list of words- Site Words for him to be familiar with for kindergarten.  I was a little surprised to find out that a lot of the children is Kindergarten will be reading by the end of the school year.  So I took the site words list and made some flash cards and we also have been taking a few a day and writing them as well.  I don't know about your little one but mine could always use some penmanship practice.  I am hoping that our time spent over the summer will make the transition to kindergarten a little easier.

I want to include a site word list for you if you are encouraged to work with your little one.

Site Words in alphabetical order
a
about
after
all
am
an
and
are
as
at
away
back
be
because
been
but
big
boy
by
call
came
can
come
could
day
did
do
down
each
eat
find
first
for
from
get
girl
go
had
has
have
he
her
him
his
how
I
if
in
into
is
it
just
like
long
look
made
make
many
may
me
more
my
no
not
now
number
of
oil
on
one
or
other
out
over
part
people
play
put
ran
read
red
said
sat
saw
see
sit
so
some
than
that
the
their
them
then
there
these
they
this
time
to
too
two
up
us
use
very
was
water
way
we
went
were
what
when
which
who
will
with
word
would
write
yes
you
your

I have just been dedicating about 10 minutes a day and I have seen an improvement in recognition of words and his writing.  So if you have the time dedicate a little time a day to your little one it will give them the head start they need to read and make their kindergarten experience an easier and more positive one.  Then they will be able to concentrate on the dreaded common core.

Also there are tons of programs this summer to encourage and give your child something to work towards.  Right now Pottery Barn Kids is having a summer reading program.  The great thing is they have a list for your young child and your older child as well.  Barnes and Noble also has a reading program right now and you just have to journal a few of your child's reading accomplishments and they can go pick out a book.

Do you have any tried and true ideas that have helped your child with reading and/or for preparation for school?   Please share.