We know that as parents, you want to support your child’s learning and make reading a positive experience. What parents do at home plays an enormous role in a child’s perspective and success. Here are our tips to support learning and make reading a positive experience that your child will carry with fondness throughout their lives.

Read to your child – early, often, and as long as they will let you.

It’s never too early to begin reading to your child. Even infants benefit greatly from hearing the sound of our voices. Listening to spoken language is one of the ways most children learn to speak and communicate with others. The tone of your voice also brings comfort, lends familiarity, and reading together daily can become a special part of a child’s routine.

As infants and toddlers begin to grow, board books are perfect because children can learn to turn the pages themselves without fear of accidentally tearing them. When you read to your child at this age, they will delight in the stories and your voice, but they will also begin to learn how to hold and use a book.

As your child gets older, the types of books you read to them will change, but we advocate for sticking with it as long as they are willing. Many families find they still read to their child into their preteen years and beyond. Even when children get to the point of complete reading independence, it’s still a treat to have someone tell us a story.

Be a reader yourself, and let your child see.

For so many of us, reading takes on different roles in our lives at different times. You likely had a time in your life when you read for pleasure, though you may or may not do so now. Some parents would like to read more but feel like they never have enough time.

Consider this a note of encouragement: you deserve the time to read for yourself. Books enrich our lives. They give us a healthy escape when we need one. They teach us and give us new perspectives.

Even if it’s just for ten minutes a day, carve out some time in your routine to read for yourself. Subtly or not, make sure your child knows you’re doing this. While the reading is for you, you may as well reap the benefits of your child seeing you as a reader. Our children look to us as models; we may as well become the people they need us to be by treating ourselves well.

Celebrate the diversity of books.

There are heaps of incredible children’s books out there. You may have a few that hold a special place in your heart from your own childhood. You may want to explore current award winners with your child. There are many new titles that cover a vast array of current important topics. Go ahead and explore these all together.

Yet another example of “follow the child,” your child will develop literary preferences. We think this is great! Find ways to support their book interests, while also introducing them to new authors, genres, and topics. The more they explore, the better.

Keep in mind this also means your child might be interested in books you would never choose for them! Whether you find yourself dreading yet another sparkle princess fairy book or fart-joke-heavy graphic novel, it’s good to find balance. Some books are like candy: it’s great to enjoy them as long as we fill our diet with other more nutrient-dense choices as well. We also believe that any book that makes a child excited to read is a good thing.

Visit our local library regularly.

Some books are nice to have on your shelves at home, especially if you plan on rereading them over and over throughout the years. The truth is, however, children can become fairly voracious readers if we provide them with good materials. Regular trips to the library allow them to explore more books than we could ever keep in our homes.

Libraries also provide so much more than just books to borrow. Many have reading programs to encourage children, programming to get them involved with learning and creativity, and lots of other resources that support literacy and parenting. Every library is different, but they all work hard to serve their unique communities.

If you are able, a weekly visit to the local library can become a special ritual you create with your child. Perhaps you go every Tuesday after school, or Saturdays before soccer practice. Whatever you decide, it’s something your child will look forward to, and can add to their list of positive associations with books and reading.

Explore different ways to enjoy literature.

Whether your child is a reluctant reader, a pre-reader, or is differently-abled, audiobooks are a valuable resource. We often speak of the ways technology might level the playing field for everyone, and audiobooks are one option that allow more people to appreciate and engage with literature.

There are many ways to access audiobooks, but the best free resource would be the local library. Columbus Metropolitan Library offers instant access to thousands of digital audiobooks through its website. The collection of audiobooks requires neither waits nor holds, and titles are available instantly via download. Titles can be accessed from the library’s homepage at https://www.columbuslibrary.org/ and following the link to “Books and eContent,” or directly through this page https://clc.overdrive.com/clc-columbus/content.

We will leave you with one final thought: reading should be fun. If your child is resistant, there’s probably a good reason. Give them some time, explore other strategies, and ask us for more tips and suggestions. We wish you all a lifetime of joyful reading!

Share This

Recent Articles From Our Blog

  • why-the-3-year-cycle-prepares-your-child-for-a-bright-future-pearlily-montessori

Why the Montessori 3-Year Cycle Prepares Your Child for a Bright Future

One of the core principles of a true Montessori education is the 3-year cycle—a unique and intentional structure that provides children with an uninterrupted, multi-year learning experience. For parents new to Montessori, this framework may seem different from traditional preschool programs, but it is designed to give children the confidence, skills, and independence they need to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.

  • exploring-montessori-number-rods-pearlily-montessori

Material Spotlight: Exploring Montessori Number Rods

The Number Rods are another quintessential Montessori material that brings math to life. These rods are a tactile, hands-on way for children to explore numerical concepts. They provide children with an opportunity to move beyond abstract ideas of numbers by engaging their senses. By physically interacting with the rods, children develop an intuitive understanding of quantity, size, and numerical relationships.

  • the-montessori-color-tablets-pearlily-montessori

Material Spotlight: The Montessori Color Tablets

At Pearlily Montessori, children are constantly discovering and learning through carefully designed materials. One such material, the Montessori Color Tablets, goes beyond teaching children to identify colors—it helps them develop critical skills such as visual discrimination, concentration, fine motor coordination, and an appreciation for beauty.

  • how-montessori-prepares-children-for-lifelong-learning-pearlily-montessori

How Montessori Prepares Children for Lifelong Learning

As the new year begins, we often find ourselves reflecting on growth and planning for the future. For children, each new year marks an exciting chapter in their educational journey. Montessori education stands out as a unique approach that not only nurtures children’s curiosity and independence today but also equips them with skills and values that last a lifetime.

  • pearlily-montessori-reflecting-on-progress

Reflecting on Progress and Embracing Possibilities

As the year draws to a close and the festive season fills our hearts with warmth, joy, and gratitude, we find ourselves reflecting on the incredible growth and learning that has unfolded in our Montessori community. Each child’s journey is a unique story of curiosity, discovery, and development, and it’s been an honor to watch their progress.

Prepare your child for life.

Is your child a dreamer? A builder? A thinker? A storyteller? An explorer?

At Pearlily Montessori, we educate children 3-6 years old and support them in becoming independent, responsible students who love to learn. Learn more about:

Our Mission

The Prepared Environment

Our Early Childhood Program

To grasp the essence of a Montessori education, just step inside a classroom.

Explore Pearlily.

Please fill out this form to learn more about the school, tuition, or to schedule a visit. We will contact you at the first opportunity.