Reading Without Books: 10 Reading Activities You Can Do With Your Child

For most parents, reading with your child means reading a storybook together. However, there are many other opportunities to share reading. Here are 10 short reading activities you can find time for:

1. Store names: How many store names can your child read or recognize? Don’t worry if your child uses clues like color, logos, or storefront elements. You should encourage this.

2. Street names: Ask your child if he can read the name of the street where he lives. If he can read or guess, praise him and say: “Let’s see if we can read the names of the other streets on the way to school/town etc.” Although the child may be guessing, he will be delighted to be able to ‘read’ the street signs.

3. Street and Highway Signs – Look for them as you walk or travel and ask questions. For example, point to the speed limit sign and ask, “What number is that?” or “Why do you think that circle has 30?”

4. Word Search: How many times can you find the word ‘school’, ‘street’ or ‘road’ while walking or traveling? (substitute any words relevant to your route).

5. Number Search: Find and read numbers on houses, shops and other buildings.

6. Grocery List – Write a simple grocery list for your child. Add images if necessary. Use this shopping list to shop for items. Compare the word on the list with the word on the can or label.

7. Aisle Signage: Most grocery stores now have aisle signage. Say to your child: “I need coffee” (or any other item) and ask him where he will find it, looking for the correct hall sign.

8. Menus: Many children’s cafes, pubs and restaurants have special children’s menus. Some even have pictures to help the child choose himself. Encourage your child to read and choose her food. They could even make menus together at home.

9. Recipes: Look for recipe books with series of pictures and/or simple instructions. Some boxes of kid-friendly cake and cookie mix have them, too. Your child can point to each picture, ‘reading’ and following the directions.

10. Tag Game: Label objects around a room or on a table. Read these labels with your child. Then remove the labels and see how many the child can match to their object.

All of these everyday activities make your time together fun and educational. So give them a try. It’s not every day you get a chance to do that. Or is that it?