Reading 20 minutes a day is a pretty standard recommendation. I’m sure you’ve heard it before. There are so many reasons why reading regularly is important but it can be hard to find the time to actually make it happen.
The great thing is, reading 20 minutes a day doesn’t have to happen all at once. Breaking it up and “squeezing” reading in is an easy way to get started. The reading time will add up quickly and you’ll be reading more than 20 minutes before you know it!
20 easy ways to read 20 minutes everyday
This post contains affiliate links.
- Read at snack time. This works well with all kids, but is especially useful with kids who are always on the move. Reading to active kids can be a challenge. Squeezing in story time while they are already sitting is a great way to add to your reading minutes.
- Keep books in the car.
- Books on CD. Listen to them in the car or during playtime. Borrow them from the library to cut down on cost. One of our favorites is The Patchwork Girl of Oz.
- Keep books in the bathroom. Big M was a reluctant reader in the beginning. I could not get him to read to me no matter what I tried. My sister was surprised at the level Big M was able to read because she’s heard my frustrations. When she asked him about when he practices he responded, “I read in the bathroom.” I guess that was good planning on my part.
- Have a set read aloud time.
- Make reading part of your transition. “Grab a book while I clean up lunch.”
- Just start reading. It’s the quickest way for me to calm a situation and get their undivided attention.
- Read everything. Have fun reading with street signs, cereal boxes and magazine covers. Search out fun and easy words when you have a few minutes.
- Keep books by the bed.
- Read while they play. When the kids are playing, sit near by and start reading. It’s a great way to insure a captive audience.
- Have a set quiet reading time.
- Keep books in the playroom.
- Play reading games. We love hangman right now. In our game closet Scattergories Junior and In A Pickle are waiting for M and M to get just a little older.
- Bring books out back. Set up a blanket under a tree or place a basket in their playhouse.
- Keep books in your purse. (Sure, that might mean you need a bigger purse. 😉 )
- Read while you wait… for dinner to be ready, in the waiting room, for friends to arrive, for the bath to fill up, for anything!
- Keep books in the bathtub.
- Use a reader.
- Offer reading online. Try Storyline Online, Seussville.com, and ABCya.com .
- Read books that inspire action. The Cookbook for Girls,Klutz Book of Paper Airplanes and Wildlife Gardening are three that we LOVE!
What’s your next stop? I’ll tell you…
- Add your favorite way to get in 20 minutes in the comment section.
- Visit Hands On: As We Grow for Sidewalk Letters .
- Join us in making quiet summer reading a priority and grab a button!
- Check out What we’re reading in the side bar.