So, how many times do you think you’ll hear, “I’m bored. I want something to do!” Which as parents, we all know means “I want something fun to do“-certainly not “I want to learn how to sort the laundry!” or “Can I practice taking out the trash?” Such absurdity!

How can you have fun and sneak in some learning and reading? I’m glad you asked!

If you’re planning an outing to the beach, pack your sunscreen, towels, and a couple of good reads like Hello Ocean  by Pam Munoz Ryan and When a Dragon Moves In by Jodi Moore. Sharing these books can help children learn about their five senses and spark their imaginations!

If your family enjoys cooking out, grab some marshmallows and corn on the cob to add to the menu. And don’t forget a couple of books as sides. Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems by Kristine O’Connell George and Gimme Cracked Corn and I Will Share by Kevin O’Malley will teach your little readers about rhyming words and how to dream big.

Have you ever heard about a “booknic”-count me in! Choose some of your family’s favorite foods and books, then tie them together. Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z by Lois Elhert (one of my grandchildren’s favorites) will encourage children to try new foods, and The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall will help children understand where foods really come from. Now all you need is a blanket and that lunch for a grand picnic….or booknic!

For a real change of pace, do a nighttime reading! The North Star by Peter Reynolds and Her Seven Brothers by Mary Lyn Ray will make story time memorable for little ones. Learn about the stars while under the stars. Or take a flashlight and search for lightning bugs (if you’re from the South/Midwest) or fireflies (if you’re from the West/New England). Good Night, Firefly by Gabriel Alborozo and The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle are heart-warming stories about friendship.

Well…that solves the dilemma of “I’m bored”!

Now it’s time to get outside and enjoy a beautiful day…with a book or two!

Happy Reading!

Lisa Davis

Early Literacy Coordinator

Resources

• Explore our blog for a wealth of articles on literacy, as well as a variety of posts dedicated to strengthening children, connecting families, and ending child abuse.
• The North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation is dedicated to fostering systemic transformation to ensure a solid base for the enduring health, education, and well-being of all children in North Carolina. Discover more by visiting their website.