Ask The Expert: I’m Really Tired at Night...
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Our in-house teacher/librarian/literacy specialist is answering your literacy questions. Email us to get your question on her list.
I’m really tired at night and sometimes dread bedtime reading. Any advice?
You are human. Nighttime can be exhausting. We have a few tips to help…
Reading can happen at any time- as long as you have a steady supply of books. For younger kids, toss in a book into the diaper bag, stroller, carseat or in a bin on the floor. Reading before naptime can be a great time to read—whether it’s you or a caregiver.
Don’t read every page—it’s okay to skim or summarize, esp. for the toddler crew.
Encourage older kids to read before school, in the car (if they can) or on the way to soccer practice. We even keep flashlights in the car.
Use apps (Audible, Overdrive, etc) to read aloud to your kids. (I have found my kids listening to Diary of a Wimpy Kid for hours). This also works in the car. We love books on tape and it also encourages us to find a book we all might like.
Have kids read to you. Try wordless books and ask them to tell you the story. This builds vocabulary, background knowledge, and helps them interpret characters’ thoughts. (Wave, Mr. Wuffles!, Chalk, Journey) are some good ones.
Take turns. Once they can read, switch off who reads what paragraph or page.
Remember that there’s many ways to encourage literacy. Play Scrabble or Bananagrams. Make to-do lists
Buy books for birthday presents. Go to book festivals. Talk about your books. Go to the library on a set day.
Go to sleep early and remember there’s always tomorrow.
