| To most parents, reading with your child means | | | | 6. Shopping list: Write a simple shopping list for |
| reading a storybook together. Yet there are | | | | your child. Add pictures if necessary. Use this |
| many other opportunities to share reading. Here | | | | shopping list to buy items. Compare the word on |
| are 10 short reading activities you can find time | | | | the list with that on the tin or label. |
| for: | | | | 7. Aisle Signs: Most grocery stores now have |
| 1. Shop names: How many shop names can your | | | | signs above the aisles. Say to your child, "I need |
| child can read or recognize? Don't worry if your | | | | coffee" (or any other item), and ask where you |
| child uses clues such as colour, logos or items in | | | | will find it, looking for the correct aisle sign. |
| the shop window. You should encourage this. | | | | 8. Menus: Many child-friendly cafes, pubs and |
| 2. Street names: Ask your child if he can read the | | | | restaurants have special menus for children. Some |
| name of the street in which you live. If he can | | | | even have pictures to help the child choose |
| read or guess, congratulate him and say, "Shall we | | | | themselves. Encourage your child to read and |
| see if we can read the other street names on | | | | choose his meal. You could even make menus |
| the way to school/town etc." Although the child | | | | together at home. |
| may be guessing, he will be thrilled to be able to | | | | 9. Recipes: Look for recipe books with series of |
| 'read' the street signs. | | | | pictures and/or simple instructions. Some children's |
| 3. Street and road signs: Look for these as you | | | | cake and cookie mix boxes also have these. Your |
| walk or travel and ask questions. For example | | | | child can point to each picture, 'reading' and |
| point at the speed limit sign and ask, "What | | | | following the instructions. |
| number is that?" or "Why do you think that circle | | | | 10. Label game: Label objects around a room or |
| has 30 in it?" | | | | on a table. Read these labels with your child. Then |
| 4. Word search: How many times you can find | | | | remove the labels and see how many the child |
| the word, 'school' , 'street' or 'road' as you walk or | | | | can match to their object. |
| travel? (substitute any words relevant to your | | | | All these everyday activities make time you |
| route.) | | | | spend together fun and educational. So try them |
| 5. Number search: Find and read numbers on | | | | out. It's not everyday you get the chance to do |
| houses, shops and other buildings. | | | | that. Or is it? |