By Karen Williams
Of all of the ways we can encourage learning and development in children, reading aloud to them is one of the simplest and most effective. Reading picture books to even the youngest children builds their vocabulary and comprehension. But what it doesn’t do, at least not automatically, is help them connect the lines on the page (which are so much less eye-catching than the illustrations) with the words they’re hearing.
To get the most out of story time, we need to draw kids’ attention to the letters and words on the page, in addition to the pictures—what’s known as “print referencing.” This easy tweak can make all the difference in helping listeners bridge towards readers. And few texts are better adapted for print referencing than Mo Willems’s popular picture books, with their comic-book style illustrations and speech bubbles.
You may even already be practicing print referencing without realizing it! Let’s delve in a little deeper to see how you can best leverage this super-easy but super-powerful tool for seeding reading.
What is Print Referencing?
Most simply, print referencing is pointing out text as you read aloud. Research has shown that, when presented with books, children are more likely to focus on the pictures on each page than the words. With print referencing, we draw their attention from the pictures to the words. This allows children to develop the awareness that we’re actually reading the text, not describing the pictures. This technique encourages several literacy skills as children get older, including language development, spelling, pronunciation, and pattern recognition.
The beauty of print referencing is that it is so easy to do, yet can have such an outsized impact on literacy. Here are some ways you can use print referencing during read-alouds with your children.
Trace or underline words as you read. No expensive kits or fancy accessories necessary! The key tool for print referencing is the simple yet effective index finger. By underlining words as you read to children, you focus their attention on the print itself, rather than just the pictures. Your kids will also learn about the pacing of a story, including when to pause or emphasize certain points. Older children may even notice that you pause at a period or exclaim at an exclamation point.
Identify any print in pictures. Although the focus here is the printed words making up the story, there may be pictures that contain words, too. For example, a book may have a sign that says STOP! These also offer great opportunities for print referencing. The key here is to identify the actual words used within the picture, as some children may be able to recognize the picture’s meaning without necessarily recognizing the words themselves.
Look for letters and sight words they recognize. As children develop literacy skills, they’ll begin to notice letters and words they’ve seen before. Encourage them to point out any they remember or recognize. You can also engage them with the text by asking questions like, “How many As do you see on this page?” or “Can you spot any letters you know?”
Print Referencing with Mo Willems’ Books
You can (and should) use print referencing with practically any picture book on your children’s shelves, but New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Mo Willems has written some of the best ones for pointing out words during read-aloud sessions. Willems borrows classic comic-book elements like speech bubbles and strips of illustrations with integrated text, and adapts them perfectly for the very youngest audiences. The simple, eye-catching pictures and easy-to-read print offer many opportunities to practice print referencing.
So what are you waiting for? Grab a Willems book—anything from the Elephant & Piggie series will serve perfectly, as will one of the popular Pigeon books—warm up your index finger, and get print referencing!
Resources for Parents:
The official Mo Willems website: Learn more about the author and his book collection, plus find suggested activities to go along with the stories.
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The book traces the jagged rise of the iconic writer, from a spunky young girl soaking up the front-porch tales of her neighbors in Eatonville, Florida, to a brilliant storyteller and conservator of black culture, language, and experience in her own right as an adult.
Williams nods to the landscapes, people, and circumstances along the author’s uphill journey, but Hurston seems to provide her own momentum, leaping toward new places, experiences, and dreams without undue concern that she could fall to the ground. Rather, the book recounts how she took her mother’s encouragement to “jump at the sun” to heart—to Howard University to Harlem to Haiti and beyond, with little more than gumption to sustain her.
My husband and I named our daughter, Zora, after the pioneering writer, so I was thrilled to discover a book that could extend her knowledge of her namesake’s life and legacy.
Now nine years old, our Zora was enamored with the book from its opening pages. Beyond the obvious enjoyment she took in seeing her name repeated so many times in print, our Zora said she was inspired by Hurston’s ability to overcome obstacle after obstacle in the pursuit of her dreams. It’s true that the brilliant writer kept “jumping” in circumstances that would have narrowed most folks’ vision to just clawing out an existence on the ground.
Hurston’s legacy as a literary powerhouse blazes on with this biography for young readers. Fans of all ages can return to the book again and again to contemplate the questions it raises about familial obligation, the high cost of education, independence and patronage in the arts, the preservation of cultural heritage, and more. And parents in particular will love its poignant depiction of how a mother’s encouragement can provide lifelong inspiration.
Why do you think a Hurston biography is fitting for young audiences? Do you have a favorite biography that you read as a child or to a child?
Do you catch yourself scrolling mindlessly on Instagram before bed or in the carpool line? Good news: You can turn your scrolling into a literacy-building activity for your kids! In a happy, literary corner of the internet, #bookstagram accounts offer an easy way to find reading recommendations and discover new authors.
Instead of the clothing hauls and makeup tips many online influencers share, “bookfluencers” are a vast collection of literacy advocates, book lovers, parents, and educators offering reviews and “book shelfies.”
With more than 50 million posts under the hashtag #bookstagram on Instagram, there are endless accounts to discover. We rounded up some of our favorites that share kids’ reads, so you can scroll and support your child’s literacy at the same time.
Here Wee Read – @hereweeread
Charnaie Gordon’s background is in computer programming but literacy is clearly her passion. The manager behind the popular Here Wee Read and 50 States by 50 Books accounts, Gordon also hosts a “bookish podcast dedicated to celebrating diverse and inclusive books for kids and adults.”
On Here Wee Read, you can find themed lists of children’s books—like “10 Black History Board Books for Tiny Readers”—along with peeks inside her favorite picture books and book-themed giveaways. Gordon says that, rather than “othering” diverse books or promoting books just for girls or for boys, she hopes her accounts foster the idea that all books are for everyone.
Helping Kids Rise – @helpingkidsrise
If you’re building a more inclusive home library, Helping Kids Rise is a great source of inspiration. Since 2016, the account has been sharing children’s books that “educate, empower, and affirm,” so you have years’ worth of recommendations to add to your shopping cart or library waitlist. Here, you’ll find books for all ages that feature role models and trailblazers throughout history.
Indigenous Bookshelf – @indigenousbookshelf
The Indigenous Bookshelf Instagram account highlights books by American Indigenous authors, with a focus on amplifying these voices in literature. While the account doesn’t exclusively feature children’s books, it frequently recommends picture books and middle-grade titles, offering a valuable resource for parents, educators, and young readers. The account also shares insights into Indigenous-owned bookstores, encouraging followers to support Native American businesses. Through well-curated recommendations, Indigenous Bookshelf promotes authentic representation in literature, helping to broaden the understanding of these cultures and stories across all age groups.
Maya Lê – @MaiStoryBookLibrary
Maya Lê’s Instagram account is a treasure trove for parents, educators, and book lovers, especially those seeking to expand their children’s literary world. With a focus on reviewing children’s picture books, Maya consistently highlights stories by diverse authors and illustrators, offering readers a rich selection of voices and perspectives. She regularly curates themed booklists, making it easy for her followers to discover new titles that align with their interests or specific topics they want to explore with young readers. Maya also shares engaging content on her YouTube channel and offers creative activities on Teachers Pay Teachers, making it easy for families and educators to deepen the reading experience. Her account is a valuable resource for promoting diverse storytelling and fostering a love of reading in young children.
Vera Ahiyya – @thetututeacher
Vera Ahiyya is an educator and children’s book author known for promoting inclusive and anti-bias education. On her social media accounts she shares books, classroom ideas, tips for educators, and resources focused on building empathy, community, and diversity in education. Vera has written a wide variety of children’s books, including You Have a Voice, which encourages children to speak up for themselves and others. Her work emphasizes the importance of social-emotional learning and antiracist education, helping children feel confident in their identities while fostering positive change through the power of their voices.
Megan Reid – @ihaveabook4that
Megan Reid’s Instagram account offers a fresh and thoughtful approach to discovering children’s books. She specializes in recommending stories that open up important conversations, from celebrating diversity to exploring emotions. Megan’s carefully compiled selections help parents find books that not only entertain but also encourage learning and connection. Whether you’re searching for bedtime stories, tales that spark imagination, or books that reflect different cultures, her recommendations are accessible and meaningful. Following her account gives parents a reliable resource for finding stories that enrich their children’s reading experience and foster a love of books.
The Kid Lit Mama – @thekidlitmama
Elizabeth Mundt, aka The Kid Lit Mama, shares colorful videos on social media that share great children’s books resources. Parents and educators can expect lively, carefully selected content that inspires kids to dive into stories. While her videos are a highlight, she also offers additional resources and tips through her blog, making her platform an all-around valuable tool for fostering a love of reading.
Reading With Red + the Magpie – @readingwithredandthemagpie
Run by a homeschooling mother of two, this account shares inclusive book recommendations, often centered around themes of identity, environmentalism, and civil and social rights. Her thoughtfully chosen reading selections create opportunities for important conversations with children about the world around them. This account is a wonderful resource for parents seeking to broaden their kids’ perspectives and foster a love for books that promote social awareness and responsibility.
Maya Smart – @mayasmarty
Don’t forget to check out MayaSmart.com on Instagram! Connect with Maya to scroll through our latest literacy activities for parents and kids, to celebrate authors with us, to get book reccs, and much more. Our mission is to help your family read well to live well. Whether you’re expecting your first child or are well along in your parenting journey, we’re here to help you raise strong readers who will change the world.
Finally, also be sure to follow your local library if it’s on Instagram! So many have accounts with book recommendations and updates about community events like story times or book clubs.
P.S. Did you add one or two … or maybe 20 … books to your wish list after checking out these accounts? Consider getting them from a local bookstore or a black bookstore.
Kelli Mason, a mom of two and the vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Notley, a social impact investment firm, has labored for years in the notoriously reactive workplace diversity space. But her latest project, Ripple Reads, looks upstream to address racism before it takes root in the next generation. The monthly family newsletter she founded aims to get parents and their little ones excited to stand up for racial justice.
“If we can reach kids proactively and get families to get comfortable having honest conversations about race, then we might be able to actually move the needle, and work ourselves out of business in the workplace inclusion world,” she says. “We’ll help raise this generation of kids to become adults who don’t need to be educated on race, racial justice, and racial awareness.”
The publication offers in-home antiracist parenting curriculum for discussing race with children, developed by Dr. Keffrelyn Brown and Dr. Anthony Brown of the Center for Innovation in Race, Teaching, and Curriculum at the University of Texas. More than offering mere talking points, the curriculum provides book recommendations, discussion guides, activities, and other content aimed at planting antiracist principles into the hearts of families. And starting in 2021, it’s entirely free, so everyone can be equipped to have frank family discussions about race with elementary school-aged kids.
What inspired you to start Ripple Reads?
So really, it was over summer of 2020, when George Floyd was murdered, and there was this national and, really, global recognition that we are not where we think we should be as a society when it comes to race. A lot of parents [were] reaching out and saying, “Our kids are hearing about this in the news. Our kids know that something’s going on. They’re seeing Black Lives Matter signs pop up around the neighborhood. How do we engage them in a way that is age-appropriate?”
And we loved that challenge. Being in this workplace diversity and inclusion and racial justice space, a lot of it is reactive. It’s if someone did something bad at work and they said something wrong, and now we need to figure out how to make it right. It’s dealing with adults who are very hard to change, if you’ve got these deeply ingrained biases.
What reactions have you gotten from parents? And have you been surprised by anything?
I have been surprised by how voracious kids are for this conversation. So many people have been like, “Oh my gosh, my kids can’t wait to have these discussions and they just want to ask question and question and question.” I think that there are a lot of people who—race was kind of a taboo, particularly white families, more like you never talked about it. But kids see it, and now they’re like, “Oh my gosh, I can talk about it? Wow, that’s exciting.”
Another one that’s come up is for black families. It’s something interesting I’ve talked with Dr. Keffrelyn Brown about a lot. They’re like, “This is scary. This could be scary for my kids. Right now my kids are in this bubble and they don’t know that police can do these horrible things, and I want to keep them in that bubble.”
The feedback I got from Keffrelyn is that talking about race and racism can help kids of color, black kids in particular, build up this resilience and this awareness to say, “Oh, when these things are happening outside in the world, it’s not personal. It’s not about me. It’s about the systemic structures that have been in place for hundreds of years.” And, “That’s their problem and they need to figure that out. I’m not the problem.” So I thought that was an interesting approach.
And how has your approach to parenting or your reflections on how you were parented been affected by these experiences?
It’s funny, because my dad read my little bio about why I started Ripple Reads on the website and he was like, “I didn’t know you felt that way.”
I had a black mom and a white dad, and they really were like, “Color doesn’t matter. You can do anything you want.” Just very, rah, rah, color blind, we don’t see color.
And as I’ve gotten older, I’m like, wait. When we don’t acknowledge that color is there, as kids it’s easy to start telling yourself these stories, like, “Well, if color doesn’t matter and this isn’t a thing, then why are all the people on the rich side of town white and all the people on the poor side of town or the homeless people black?”
And so you start creating these stories like, “Well, they must have some personal shortcoming that has led them there.” You lose the bigger picture that systemic racism is a thing and it still exists. We’re still dealing with the consequences of it every day.
And again, back to what Keffrelyn said, it takes the personal out of it, right? It’s not that for whatever reason, black people aren’t deserving of nicer homes or whatever. No, actually, there’s been an exposé in Long Island, just a few years ago, that real estate agents today are still steering black people to certain neighborhoods and white people to certain neighborhoods.
And there was this couple, also a biracial couple, a black woman and a white man. The woman got the home appraised and the husband was like, “No, no. Our home should be appraised much more than this.” He sends her away. He’s like, “You go. I’m going to talk to the appraiser and stuff,” took down all of their family photos so that the appraiser didn’t know that this was a biracial family, got the house appraised for $100,000 more.
There’s all of these things that are still going on today. So I think it’s important that we have these conversations, and that was kind of what was lacking in my own upbringing, this, “What is the bigger picture? What systemic things are going on in it?”
These are definitely things I’ll do differently with my kids.
In doing a project like this, you have to have a certain level of optimism that personal conversations can lead to systemic, larger, bigger, sea-change kind of transformation. Is conversation enough? What else do you think people need to do?
We always include activities, because conversation is kind of the first step. And I love this quote from Angela Davis: “In a racist society, it’s not enough to be non-racist. You have to be antiracist.” I think that the conversations, they’re enough to say, “Hey, we can be non-racist.” But then with the activities and the content that we put around it, it’s, “How can you take that next step?”
We had, in the September issue, [an activity]: If your kid comes home and they’re like, “Oh, someone called someone the N-word on the playground.” I think a lot of parents, regardless of your background, might be like, “That wasn’t nice,” “Don’t play with that kid anymore,” “We’re not inviting that kid over to our house.”
And that’s great. You’re not participating and you’re not the one calling somebody this. But the next step is, go talk to the teacher, talk to the kid’s parents, talk to the principal, whatever makes sense. Take that next step to show your kids that we’re not just not a racist family. We’re not just a family that is passively, “Oh, that’s not good. We don’t do that.” We’re a family that takes action.
I think once there are enough families that are having this conversation and then taking that action and feeling empowered to speak up, that’s when the systems can change. That’s the hope.
Have you gotten any indications or feedback yet from families that are taking action, or do you think people are in a stage of still taking it all in and having the conversations privately at home?
We’ve had a few. People will send in pictures. One of the activities we had was to do a Black Lives Matter sign and you could put it in your window. The kids are getting involved and they’re creating this thing.
With the act of creating, they’re feeling ownership over it. So we have some pictures of their kids doing that and pictures of the signs up in their windows.
Have I heard anyone talk to a principal or make systemic change yet? I know it’s still early, but hopefully so, right? I think these are the stepping stones, the building blocks, so that you feel comfortable in that place, because it’s become your identity.
I think that’s what we want. We want families to have this identity of “we’re going to take action,” so that when rubber hits the road and there’s an opportunity to take the action, you’re going to do it.
To set kids up for long-term success and get them kindergarten-ready, it’s important to introduce them to letters and words early and often. Repetition is key to really fixing these all-important squiggles into their memories, as is exposing them to letters in a variety of contexts.
But as any parent knows, small children have a whole lot of energy to let out of their systems. Getting our little ones outside keeps them healthy and happy—and offers a welcome shot at tiring them out enough for an early bedtime. So sitting at a table to tackle endless alphabet worksheets or expecting them to sit still for long read-alouds doesn’t always feel like an option.
That’s why we’ve rounded up some of our most popular posts about how to reinforce literacy learning while getting kids out and active at the same time. All of these activities are super simple and affordable, requiring only basic materials.
So follow the links below for inspiration to blend some crucial early literacy practice into outdoor time with your kids. Then enjoy the fresh air as you get a little exercise alongside them!
Awesome Alphabet Hopscotch
Alphabet Hopscotch provides important alphabet knowledge and letter sound practice—all while reinforcing gross motor skills and getting kids some much-needed exercise and fresh air.
But most of all, this easy alphabet game from early childhood educator Chrysta Naron is a fun way to bolster literacy while on the move with wriggly kids. This game can come to life in just a few minutes. All you need is a single piece of chalk.
In this post, Chrysta shares how to use hopscotch to teach both letter names and letter sounds—two key and very distinct steps towards reading and writing. She also describes how to play indoors, so you can still enjoy some active learning play if conditions keep you inside.
The Ultimate Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Try this letter scavenger hunt to engage kids and have family fun outdoors. Getting outside, moving around, and boosting letter engagement is a win-win-win. What’s more, this simple and completely free activity builds mindfulness and strengthens your bond with your child. Strolling together at a leisurely pace provides a welcome break from technology and a chance to notice your surroundings.
This article from contributor Karen Williams gives tips and ideas for taking your child on a literacy scavenger hunt around the neighborhood, plus suggests three scavenger hunt books for kids in different age groups. Karen recommends a variety of ways to customize your hunt, including adaptations for older kids.
Alpha-Bingo Gets Kids Moving and Learning
Early childhood educator and literacy specialist Chysta Naron offers a twist on the literacy scavenger hunt: alphabet bingo. In this simple literacy game, you and your child will make real-world connections to the letters they’re practicing, all while exploring your neighborhood together.
Chrysta offers up educator-tested tips for maximizing your child’s letter learning, suggestions on which letters to focus on first, and directions for playing with multiple children. You’ll also find a printable alpha-bingo card to get you started. (No printer? Not a problem. You can always make your own, of course. Bonus: Making your own card offers a chance to help your kiddo write the letters.)
Take a Nature Walk Story Time
Get yourself and your child some fresh air, exercise, and important nature exposure—and enjoy the cuddles and literacy learning of reading aloud at the same time.
Just pack a picnic, a blanket, and some picture books (bonus if they’re about animals, nature, science, or other outdoors topics). Then head out to a natural area or park. Walk together, taking time to examine whatever you encounter, from plants and spiderwebs to birds and bugs.
Conversation is a key building block for literacy, so respond to your child’s interest and enjoy their wonder. When your child is ready for a break and a snack, find somewhere to set up your blanket, then snuggle up and read together as you both enjoy your picnic. For maximum benefit, look for opportunities to connect what you read to what you’ve seen on your walk.
Go Bird-Watching with Your Little One
Contributor and veteran birder Susan Gadamus shares a sweet bird-watching activity that turns a walk in nature or your neighborhood into a birding expedition.
Susan discusses how to introduce your little one to bird-watching and gives a tutorial for a simple craft to make DIY “binoculars” that will promote focus as you look for feathered friends outside. This activity is great for enriching conversation and building the vocabulary knowledge that underpins successful reading.
To build your child’s knowledge of written language, encourage them to take down observations in a notebook about what they see on your bird walk. Susan also recommends some awesome picture books about birds to read with your child before you head out.
Play Letters & Words Soccer
Try this easy literacy soccer game to work in a little ABC or reading practice with active kiddos who’d rather be running around than drilling indoors. It’s a fun trick to teach reading to kids who can’t sit still. And the fresh air and exercise may do you both some good, too!
All you need is an old soccer ball or playground ball, a permanent marker (or dry-erase marker), and your enthusiasm. Write target letters or words on the ball, then kick or toss it around with your child and take turns trying to read the letter or word facing you when you receive the ball. Our literacy soccer article has tips for how to teach as you play and how to adapt the game for different stages and needs.
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By Maya Payne Smart
The idea of reading to children daily is deeply entrenched in American culture, even if the practice hasn’t completely taken hold. Books advising parents on creating family reading routines, and recommending what to read to kids when, have flourished since the 1930s. Raise-a-reader stories are standard features of parenting magazines and blogs. Schools, teachers, and community organizations all tout the benefits of reading to kids. My local grocery store chain even runs a book drive and encourages parents to pledge to read to their children several times a week.
But there’s much less discussion of what exactly to do during storytime beyond turning the pages, reading with feeling, and keeping things fun. The link between printed words on the page, a parent’s spoken recitation of them, and the child’s path to literacy is unclear. In fact, experts say that typical parent read-alouds focus on the story and illustrations. And small children more often than not imagine that we’re deriving the story we’re reading aloud (down to its specific wording) from the engaging pictures, not the squiggles next to them.
Check out the four articles below for insights into the science of brain development, the research on fostering literacy, and the little touches and tweaks that can turbocharge story time.
How to Engage Kids in Read-Alouds
From the pediatrician’s office to parenting magazine columns, numerous voices tout the benefits of regularly reading aloud to young children for language development. But storytime quantity is just part of the equation. How parents read to kids (not just how often) matters too, and I don’t mean the pacing and performance qualities of reading aloud. No matter how thrilling the story or a parent’s delivery, a verbatim front-to-back reading of a book leaves out critical brain-building, literacy-boosting power. (Read more.)
Why Read Aloud to Babies
While extolling the virtues of reading together for bolstering character and resilience, plus remedying the ills of digital distraction and social fragmentation, it’s easy to skip right over its greatest power—seeding early literacy. Read on for a few science-backed insights into boosting brain capacity, stimulating language development, and spurring vocabulary growth by sharing reading from day one. (Read more.)
How to Use Stories to Get Your Child Kindergarten-Ready
When reading together, we tend to do little to raise kids’ awareness of how books work, how print conveys meaning, and what letters and words really are. These are vital lessons, because before a child can read print, they must notice it. Fortunately, it takes just a small course correction to maximize story time and help little ones bridge from listening into literacy. Parents or caregivers have thousands of opportunities to give mini-lessons on print concepts during storybook reading. It’s just a question of knowing what to point out to help forge a conscious connection between what they’re hearing and what you’re reading. (Read more.)
Don’t Make Story Time a Snooze
The term “read aloud” is deceptively simple—so self-evident in meaning that it seldom inspires discussion beyond admonitions to read with feeling and do it daily. But three decades of reading research reveals that there’s much more than reading aloud going on during the best story times. And, in fact, conversation that veers off the page may be as literacy-rich as the words in print. (Read more.)
When you’re raising a young reader, love and literacy are always in the air. This Valentine’s Day, bring both together with these three fun ways to support early reading and writing skills while you celebrate love in all its many forms (and even a little chocolate!). You’ll learn about wonderful picture books to explore—and expand—the concept of love with your child, play a sweet ABC matching game made from a chocolate box, and create words by crafting your own paper version of conversation hearts.
14 Sweet Picture Books about Love for Valentine’s Day
It’s the season of love, and Valentine’s Day presents us with the perfect opportunity to explore the concept of love with our little ones. These 14 children’s picture books about love reinforce early literacy and offer a wonderful starting point for conversations about love in all its forms. Whether it’s love for the planet, love for our friends, or even self-love—let these titles take you and your child on a reading journey that highlights what it’s really all about.
Sweet Valentine’s Day ABC Game & Story Time Activity
This activity begins with spending quality time reading a sweet picture book to your child. A part of Rachel Bright’s Love Monster series, Love Monster and the Last Chocolate is a delightful book that teaches children about friendship, generosity, and, of course, chocolate! After reading together, you’ll upcycle a chocolate box into a memory matching game that teaches children to pair uppercase letters to their lowercase counterparts. This easy activity leads your child from a read-aloud that engages them in conversation about love and friendship to an interactive game that takes their letter learning to the next level.
Conversation Hearts Activity for Valentine’s Day Reading
What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day and literacy than to weave together love, candy, and letters! This literacy activity lets children draw their own version of those ubiquitous candy conversation hearts and then try to create words with them. Children attempt to make as many words as they can with these hearts, practicing their reading skills. It’s a sweet, simple, and thematic way to teach the key skills of encoding and decoding.
By Laila Weir
Every year—in non-pandemic times—on an evening in early March, tables overflow with books in the multipurpose room of my kids’ elementary school as pajama-clad children wander among them. Arms wrapped around newly acquired titles, groups of kids browse happily, periodically ducking out on eager slippered feet for story times in various classrooms. This pajama-party-book-exchange is our school’s way of celebrating Read Across America Day, a national event taking place every March 2 that brings communities together around reading.
Parent volunteers collect books ahead of time so there are more than plenty, and kids are encouraged to take all they like (even the pre-readers participate, enthusiastically choosing from among the picture books). The freedom to adopt books according to their fancy and nothing more inspires kids to follow their interests and to read abundantly. The evening builds an atmosphere of literary discovery and excitement, all while providing loads of free books to students. It’s a fun and beautiful way to support literacy for all.
This year, Read Across America is sure to look different. But with a little ingenuity, there’s no reason your community can’t still plan a super reading celebration even in the days of social distancing. Read on for some ideas for marking this special occasion.
Hold a Distanced Book Exchange
If you love the concept of a free-for-all book feast like our school’s book exchange, why not see whether your area’s current safety guidelines allow for a socially distanced book trade?
Set up tables in an outdoor location, such as a schoolyard or unused parking lot, and stock them with used books (offering plenty of variety by topic and reading level). Chalk a one-way path that participants can follow past the tables, filling up on reading material along the way. Alternatively, set up book tables indoors or outdoors and have households book 10-minute time slots to browse the books before making way for the next group.
Just make sure you plan to get plenty of books for your exchange. Contacting libraries for books they’re getting rid of, posting widely in neighborhood and school online groups for donations of used books, and creating an accessible drop-off location can all help ensure you’ll have more than enough.
Distribute Book Grab Bags
If rules, logistics, or prudence prevent a full-on book exchange, but you still want to facilitate the exchange of reading material, why not provide book grab bags to students?
As with the book exchange described above, gather plenty of donated used books on a variety of topics and levels. Then put together grocery bags of titles appropriate for various age groups. Invite families to pick up the grab bags, or organize volunteers to make contactless deliveries to students’ homes upon request.
Virtual Story Times
Virtual story times are a relatively easy way to celebrate Read Across America this year, and they can also make a great supplement to a book exchange or distanced in-person event.
Invite teachers, parents, trusted community members, and children to sign up to read a diverse selection of stories via your preferred video calling platform. You can even invite authors to “sign up” and read their books during a virtual author visit! Then publish a schedule on your school website or elsewhere.
Virtual story times have an added bonus in that kids who weren’t able to attend can watch later on. Just be sure to have the readers press “record” during their live readings. Tip: Ensure a teacher or parent volunteer is present at each virtual story time, to make sure things stay on track.
Need help with your story list? Check out the Read Across America site to get you started with some curated titles. You might also want to work with your community’s library to ensure all the selections for sign-up are available.
Host a StoryWalk
Check out the Read Across America website for a variety of other creative and socially distanced ways to celebrate reading and community. These include hosting a story time drive-in, developing a reading obstacle course—and creating a StoryWalk.
Developed by Anne Ferguson in Montpelier, Vermont, a StoryWalk is a “fun, physically distanced activity that places a children’s story—a deconstructed book, page by page—along a walking route in your community,” explains the Read Across America site, which also links to tips on how to create one. A StoryWalk is a wonderful way to combine physical movement, getting outside, and literacy.
Let us know how your community celebrates reading this Read Across America Day—or any day!
By Courtney Runn
Teach a person to read and you open a door—not only to an unparalleled world of wonder and entertainment—but also to independence, freedom, and success.
Yet those doors are remaining closed for too many Texans: Just 25 percent of Texas public school fourth graders scored at a “proficient” level or above for reading in a 2017 study, a full ten points lower than the already-unacceptable national rate of 35 percent.
Going by the statistics, the deck is already stacked against the three-quarters of children who fell short. Research shows that childhood literacy is crucial for achieving further academic success. Students that can read by third grade are less likely to drop out of high school and subsequently less vulnerable to poverty and unemployment. And adult literacy directly correlates with quality of life, as well.
What’s more, around 70 percent of U.S. prison inmates operate at the lowest literacy level, according to the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, and 80 percent of inmates at Austin-area Del Valle Correctional Complex don’t have high school diplomas.
From poverty to equity to criminal justice, just about any social issue you might care about can be positively impacted by supporting literacy. And Austin offers a plethora of options for doing just that. Explore these eight local nonprofit organizations for opportunities to help open the door to literacy for all.
Book Spring
BookSpring advocates for childhood literacy at home. The organization is dedicated to the premise that early intervention is key to setting reading habits and ensuring children are literate by the third grade, a key milestone for educational success. To support families reading together, the nonprofit sends children books and is working toward the goal of sending at least three books a year to 80,000 Central Texas children living in poverty.
Get involved: You can donate financially, drop off children’s books, or become a sponsor. Book Spring is also currently looking for digital advocates and volunteers to sort and label books at home.
El Buen Samaritano
Among its many services for the Central Texas Latinx community, El Buen Samaritano offers English as a second language (ESL) classes for adults and a school readiness program for parents preparing their young children for elementary school. The organization, a service branch of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, has worked in the community for 30-plus years and serves more than 10,000 people each year.
Get involved: Apply to be a volunteer or donate financially.
Inside Books Project
Since 1998, Inside Books Project has supported literacy and education in Texas prisons. Operating on the principle that every prisoner has the right to read, the nonprofit sends free books and reading materials to prisoners, along with personal letters. Inmates can write back to request certain books and genres.
Get involved: Volunteer to choose books and write letters to inmates, donate financially, or donate books.
Literacy First
Recognizing that early childhood literacy directly impacts future educational success, Literacy First works to build a strong literacy foundation for children in Central Texas. The nonprofit partners with school districts to provide daily tutoring for students in kindergarten through second grade. In the 2019-2020 school year, Literacy First worked with more than 1,000 students across 25 schools in the Austin area.
Get involved: Literacy First accepts financial donations and applications from tutoring volunteers on its website.
Literacy Texas
Literacy Texas supports nonprofits across the state in their literacy initiatives. Through regional and statewide training sessions, the organization offers professional development and networking opportunities to better equip volunteers and advocates to promote literacy for all Texans.
Get involved: Become a member, donate financially, become a literacy advocate, or get connected with a nonprofit to volunteer.
Reading Rock Stars
A branch of the Texas Book Festival, Reading Rock Stars brings authors into Title I schools to support childhood literacy and sends students home with their own books. The program partners with schools in Austin, Rio Grande Valley, Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth.
Get involved: Support the Texas Book Festival through volunteering or financial donations.
The Literacy Coalition of Central Texas
Since 2001, the Literacy Coalition of Central Texas has pursued its mission of breaking “the cycle of intergenerational poverty through comprehensive literacy services.” It serves Texans through a variety of programs, including workplace English lessons, career development services for low-income adults, and parent education on getting kids ready for kindergarten.
Get involved: The Literacy Coalition has multiple volunteer opportunities at varying time commitments and also accepts financial donations online.
Women’s Storybook Project
According to the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, 81 percent of incarcerated women are mothers. After hearing about a program that allowed incarcerated mothers to read to their children, founder Judith Dullnig was inspired to create something similar in Texas. Since 2003, the Women’s Storybook Project of Texas has helped mothers record themselves reading books, so their children can still hear their voices and receive the benefits of parental reading.
Get involved: The Women’s Storybook Project works with volunteers to record stories and accepts financial donations.
Happy Lunar New Year! Whether this celebration is part of your family’s traditions or something you’d like your child to learn about, why not mark the occasion with fun activities that support early literacy at the same time?
Below, we walk you step-by-step through four easy activities to do with your young children. You’ll find crafts, simple alphabet- and writing-themed games, and picture book recommendations—even a storytelling puppet who helps kids develop the comprehension and oral language skills that underpin successful reading and writing. Just follow the links for full, illustrated instructions and more tips. Enjoy!
Create a Lunar New Year Fortune-Teller
In this literacy craft, telling fortunes for the new year creates the perfect opportunity to work on reading skills. Kids won’t even realize they’re practicing as they read the same sight words (or sound out the same longer words) over and over while telling their friends’ and family’s fortunes. This game even builds mindfulness, as kids share positive messages and concentrate on hopeful wishes for the future. Enjoy!
Use the Chinese Zodiac to Teach Kids Letter Sounds
In this Lunar New Year story time activity, we’ll delve into the Chinese zodiac by reading Ruby’s Chinese New Year by Vickie Lee. Next, we’ll expand the story time with a playful early literacy activity designed to build letter-sound knowledge. Your child will learn to isolate the first sound of each animal’s name and match it to the correct letter.
Make a DIY Lion Puppet for Lunar New Year
In this story time activity, we explore Chinese traditions for the Lunar New Year. In traditional celebrations, a mythical Chinese lion dances in the new year to bring good luck and scare away the bad. Follow a simple tutorial to craft your own storytelling lion puppet that kids can use to retell a story you read together. Retelling helps deepen kids’ comprehension and support the oral language skills that underpin successful reading and writing.
Use Red Envelopes to Help Kids Practice Writing
Read Grace Lin’s Bringing in the New Year aloud to your child and then share a fun literacy-supporting activity with them. You’ll teach them how to read and write the names of loved ones as you create Lunar New Year envelopes for family members. It’s a great way to tie cultural traditions and literacy together in a fun and brain-building package.
