Sparking a Love of Literacy

Nov 12 2024

by Melanie Michel, Lower School Librarian

At Country Day, librarians encourage a love of reading by building excitement over books. We lead storytimes and book talks, give personalized recommendations, create themed book displays, offer reading challenges, share our thoughts on social media, host author visits and events like book swaps, poetry readings, and more. But what are some ways families can spark a love of reading at home?

Finding the time to read with your child and discuss books not only helps build a love for reading, but strengthens family bonds. Kids crave connection, and books provide the perfect gateway to meaningful growing-up conversations. Our teachers regularly use books to introduce new concepts and help kids navigate stages of development. Listening to others' stories helps children explore their own thoughts and feelings, while learning valuable life lessons.

At home, this can take many forms—some families love to listen to audiobooks in the car and others read together on the weekends. My daughter and I especially enjoy reading and talking about books at the dinner table or snuggled up in bed together. These times are special in part because they are opportunities to delve deeper with questioning. Why do you think the character did that? What lesson is the author trying to share with us? Is there anything you would change about the end of the story? What else are you wondering about? Children light up when adults are genuinely curious about what they think. These conversations make the experience more meaningful.

Keep books accessible by placing them in spots where kids spend time, like the living room, bedroom, or play area. When books are within reach, they’re more likely to be opened. It’s also a great idea to keep a few books in the car for moments spent waiting at appointments or during siblings' activities.

Kids also love reading what their friends are reading. Ask your child about their friends' favorites, or organize a book swap with other families. Instead of toy birthday presents, ask your guests to bring gently used books as their gift.

For your budding artists, try a visual reading log where your child draws scenes or cover art from each book they finish. It’s a fun way to get creative and celebrate each book they read.

Need a little time to yourself? Tell your child to act out scenes from a favorite book or make a play. Personal time plus a show? Win-win!

Giving older kids the tools they need to discover books on their own is also a great way to lead them to their next great find. Students often ask for a read alike, which is a book that is similar to one they already love. Help them develop independence in choosing books with NoveList, a database available through our public library. This site offers personalized book recommendations based on your child’s preferences. And remember, if you need help accessing these resources, your school librarians are always here to help you—feel free to drop by. We love sharing our favorite tools with you.

One other thing you can do is to encourage your child to share their own stories. With whom you may be wondering—with us! Your school community! November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), so in Winters Library we have started talking about writing. A lot. Last year, I asked my fifth graders, “does anyone like to write or keep a journal?”. I was floored at how many hands flew up in the air. Several of them even opened up about why they journal; their responses were varied. One student said they document their experiences to preserve their memories. Another shared they write to express their anger in a healthy way. (Yes, a fifth grader said that!) Some students use journals to jot down brilliant ideas, document their travels, or write about their dreams. Others like to sketch or scrapbook with keepsakes and photos. One kid told us he liked to keep track of his younger sibling’s milestones! I shared with them that I had plans to start a gratitude journal. It was an inspiring week for me, and I like to believe that this was the moment that an idea started percolating…

I got to thinking about creating a space in Winters Library, so students can have the chance to share their writing with our community. Interested students from all grade levels in the Lower School can “publish” their work and display it for all to read. What stories will they tell and how will they learn from each? I’m excited to see there’s already been a buzz. Students have begun formulating their ideas, with some choosing to team up as authors and illustrators to create a book together.

My hope is that this opportunity will help students develop empathy and resilience. Kids yearn to express themselves, but they may feel worried that their work isn’t good enough to share. In time they will see that not everyone will have the same perspective and that’s okay. Their voices matter, and by sharing their work, all students are represented, creating a sense of belonging where everyone’s voice is heard.

Does your child need some inspiration? This month's library book display features books all about writing. Some are new to Winters. Come by and check it out!