by Mr. Grin, ENL Teacher at P.S. 74

Unlock the magic of literacy with our expert tips from our ELL educator Mr. Grin. Discover five engaging and powerful strategies to transform your child into a reading superstar. This short read will guide you on an adventure through the world of words, fostering a lifelong love for books. Watch your child’s imagination soar as they embark on a journey to becoming a true reading superstar!

Reading is one of the most important skills that your child can develop in elementary school. It helps them learn new things, expand their vocabulary, and boost their creativity. But how can you make reading more enjoyable and engaging for your child? Here are five practical ways that you can support your child’s reading journey and help them become a reading superstar.

1. Promote reading on multicultural topics. Reading books that explore different cultures, traditions, and perspectives can help your child develop a sense of curiosity and empathy for others. It can also expose them to new words, concepts, and ideas that they might not encounter in their everyday life. You can help your child find books that interest them by visiting your local library, bookstore, or online platforms that offer diverse and inclusive books for children. Some examples of multicultural books for children are:

• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi: A story about a Korean girl who moves to America and struggles with her name and identity.
• The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson: A story about four children who feel different from their classmates and learn to celebrate their uniqueness.
• We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom: A story about a Native American girl who fights to protect her land and water from a pipeline.
• The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania of Jordan: A story about two friends who learn to appreciate each other’s cultures through their lunch choices.

2. Read in another language. If you or your child speak another language besides English, reading in that language can be a great way to practice and improve your language skills. It can also help your child appreciate their cultural heritage and identity. You can read books that are written in your native language, or books that are translated from English into another language. You can also use bilingual books that have both languages on the same page, or audio books that have narration in both languages.
3. Make reading a family activity. Reading together as a family can be a fun and bonding experience for you and your child. You can take turns reading aloud, ask each other questions about the story, or act out scenes from the book. You can also create a cozy reading corner in your home, where you can cuddle up with pillows, blankets, and snacks, and enjoy reading together.
4. Encourage reading for different purposes. Reading is not only for entertainment, but also for learning, exploring, and discovering new things. You can help your child see the value of reading for different purposes by encouraging them to read a variety of texts, such as magazines, newspapers, comics, recipes, instructions, maps, menus, and more. You can also help them find texts that relate to their hobbies, interests, or goals, such as sports, music, art, science, or travel.
5. Reward reading with more reading. One of the best ways to motivate your child to read more is to reward them with more reading opportunities. You can create a reading chart or log where you can track your child’s reading progress and achievements. You can also set up a reward system where your child can earn points or stickers for each book they read, and exchange them for prizes such as bookmarks, stickers, pencils, or more books.