Summer Reading at New York Libraries: 3 Ways to Get a Head Start
I’m lucky to have the opportunity to perform my magic show for Summer Reading at New York Libraries every year.
For the summer of 2016, the theme is “On Your Mark, Get Set…Read!” and I can’t wait to perform my library magic show for hundreds of kids and families across New York.
But you don’t have to wait to see my show to get started on summer reading, of course!
In the spirit of getting ready for summer…
Here are 3 easy ways to get a head start on summer reading:
- Make the world your book!
It’s never too early to start reading to your child. Infants respond to voices around them, so start out by reading anything that’s around— signs, picture books, non-fiction books, sports pages, cookbooks — any where you see words!
My wife and I started reading to our son as soon as he was born. Now he’s 11 months old, and some of his favorite board books are Goodnight Moon, Are You a Cow?, and 1, 2, 3, Go!
- Ask questions that encourage your child to reflect and make connections.
Involve your child by asking questions like, “How do you feel about that?” “What do you think will happen next?,” and “In your opinion, why did the character do this…?” These kinds of questions build literacy skills (recollection, sequencing, making inferences, synthesizing, etc.)
- Make reading part of your day!
It’s great to read during bedtime, but encourage reading during the day, too!
Thankfully, my parents encouraged me to read at a very early age. Because of that, I found my first magic book, and had the tools I needed to follow my dreams of becoming a real magician.
Bring a book (or two, or three) with you wherever you go: doctor’s appointments, the park, car rides, the grocery store, etc. That way, reading will become a habit.
Follow these 3 simple strategies, and you’ll quickly see your child discover the magic of reading.
Want to see kids get so excited about reading this summer?
Click here to see my 2016 Summer Reading Magic Show Tour Schedule
Or fill out the form below to to see if you can get my summer reading magic show, On Your Mark, Get Set… Read!, to appear at your library