There are many ways to give your children (or the special children in your life) the gift of reading, all year round!
Here are some ideas to help you get started, with additional recommended booklists and resources below.
Sharing Stories and Books Together
1. Share stories from your family or childhood.
Telling family stories is a wonderful gift to pass down to a new generation of children. These can include old family stories or stories from your own childhood.
In addition, you can:
- collect these stories in a small book
- write down memorable stories or moments from your child's life
- help your child interview relatives to learn more about their lives
2. Listen to your child read aloud.
Listening to your child reading is a great way to help them practice reading and spend time together. Find a special spot where you can sit together and listen to them read quietly, providing encouragement as they go along.
3. Listen to audiobooks together.
Audiobooks allow you to take books on the go or listen at home together and talk about a story you hear You can download free audiobooks from your local library on your phone or device, look for free audiobooks online, or buy audiobooks online from many different websites. (For example, Audible.com features children's books in English and Spanish.)
4. Read together.
Reading with your child gives the gift of time together while supporting your child as they learn to read. It's never too early to start! If your family is bilingual, reading bilingual books or books in your family's language will your child's literacy development in that language and in English. (You can read more about this in Why Reading to Your Kids in Spanish Will Help Them Become Better Readers).
For more ideas on how all families can support their child's literacy, see our resources below!
Tips and articles
- Help Your Child Read: Tips for Families in 16 Languages
- Parent Tips in 14 Languages: Reading with Your Child
- Winter Vacation: 10 Reading Ideas for Parents
Video series
- Family Literacy at Home: Video Series in English and Spanish
- Being Bilingual Is a Superpower!: Tips to Support Language and Literacy at Home
Giving Books and More
5.Books
Good books are wonderful gifts! Young children can enjoy the magic of a book's story and illustrations again and again -- and one day, they will be reading that book themselves! At the same time, older children can learn more about their interests and favorite activities. If you're not sure how to find the right children's book, read Finding and Sharing Great Kids' Books and take a look at our recommended books below.
What about e-books?
Electronic books, called e-books, can be read on devices like smartphones, tablets, and e-readers. You can download free e-books from the library and also buy books online. See these helpful tips on how to make the most of reading e-books in How to Read an E-Book with Your Child.
6. Magazines
There are many magazines written for children available, from publications featuring stories and activities to non-fiction magazines about wildlife and nature, current events, geography, sports, and music. You can also order a magazine subscription for your home.
Bilingual Magazines for All Ages
These recommended magazines offer activities, articles, games, and projects for kids of all ages — whether at home or at school! These titles include bilingual magazines (English-Spanish), as well as magazines available in Spanish and Chinese.
To see suggestions of more great publications, check out Reading Rockets' children's magazine list, as well as Scholastic's magazines for middle and high school.
7. Music
There are lots of artists from different cultures who are producing outstanding music for kids featured here:
Booklists
These booklists include song collections, as well as stories about music and musicians.
- Art, Music, and Dance: Books for Young Children
- Music and Rhyme: Hispanic Heritage
- Music for Kids: Hispanic Heritage
- Music & Dance: Native American Heritage
8. Games, puzzles, and activity books
There are also lots of ways to make reading fun through games, puzzles, and activity books. These games provide children with an opportunity to practice spelling, reading, and word-building; they also allow families to enjoy spending time together. Check out your local bookstore or toy store for ideas available at the right age level!
PBS Kids: Books and games
You can find all kinds of books, activity books, and games related to popular shows such as Sesame Street, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Wild Kratts, Pinkalicious, and Molly of Denali:
- PBS Kids Shop
- PBS Kids Books (PBS Kids Shop on Amazon.com)
- PBS Kids Games and Puzzles (PBS Kids Shop on Amazon.com)
Toy stores and chains
Here are some examples of toy stores who sell educational toys, puzzles, games, books, and activity books online. (These links go to external sites.)
Book Recommendations
Winter Holiday Booklist Collection
If you're looking for a book to share in the classroom or with someone special, check out our Winter Holiday Booklist Collection, which highlights diverse stories about the winter holidays (and winter weather!) across cultures and languages.
More book recommendations
For other great suggestions, check out the following:
- Diverse Books for Young Children (Colorín Colorado)
- Diverse Books for Kids (Colorín Colorado)
- Books as Gifts: Holiday Buying Guide (Reading Rockets)
- Read Across America: Celebrating a Nation of Diverse Readers (National Education Association)
Books for young adults
- Diverse Books for Young Adults (Colorín Colorado)
- Themed Booklists for Young Adults (AdLit.org
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