Reading Games for Young Children

On a Journey

• Pack pens, paper and books for a journey by car or train, as you will need plenty to keep young children occupied, and the time can be spent wisely by incorporating fun reading activities into your trip. Spot license plates from other states, read billboards and look out for road signs to keep you on track. Play simple word games such as spotting items along the way whose names start with each letter of the alphabet.

In the Kitchen

• Have your child help you make supper. Choose a recipe and read the list of ingredients together. Have her help find the things you'll need by encouraging her to read the labels on packaging. Follow step-by-step instructions together. Learning to make sense of quantities and measurements is a vital reading skill. This practical lesson teaches her the value of reading in a hands-on way -- and hopefully with delicious results.

Family Book Club

• Take turns to talk about the books you are reading or your favorite books in an informal way during a family dinner. Encourage your child to share what he most likes or dislikes about a book. Get him to describe the characters and tell you what happens in the story. Make up word searches or simple crosswords based on his favorite stories to expand his vocabulary and increase his understanding and enjoyment of the subject. For example, if his favorite book is about an astronaut, devise a simple word search containing words about the solar system and space travel.

Reading Box

• Create a special reading box and put something inside it to read every day. Vary the type of item; it could be a comic strip, a birthday party invitation or a note from a grandparent. A little effort will create a special moment in every day that your child will anticipate with excitement, and she will learn to associate reading with fun and reward.