Summer Infant - Learn More March: How to Make Time for Reading

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Written By
Allison Katz

83 comments

3/21/2011 12:00:00 PM

Learn More March: How to Make Time for Reading

Welcome back! It’s time to give away another book collection to one lucky winner. Don’t forget, in order to enter this giveaway you need to post a relevant comment based on the blog post below in the comment feed.

There are so many great children’s books to choose from, but these are some of “D’s” favorites and the 7 books one lucky winner will be receiving this week.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
B is For Bear by Roger Priddy
Baby Einstein: Mirror Me! by Julie Aigner-Clark
Daddy Kisses by Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben
Mommy Hugs by Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben
I Love you Stinky Face by Lisa Mccourt and Cyd Moore

As many of you can probably relate, finding time to read each and every day can sometimes be a bit of a struggle, especially when you work full-time. It does make me feel better knowing he gets plenty of book time in at daycare, but as a mother, you want that special one on one time yourself. Getting home from work at 6 pm and then trying to find time to make dinner, have playtime with D, bath time, snuggle time and of course reading time, is tough. I’m trying to be the best mom I possibly can and in doing that I tend to put a lot of unneeded pressure on myself. I try to remind myself that it’s ok if we don’t have a home cooked meal every night. And it’s ok if D simply isn’t in the mood to play and would rather watch, Finding Nemo. But in general, the only time we really get to read is right before bed; and even then he sometimes refuses and shuts the book on me. I try not to force it, but then I end up feeling guilty because if he doesn’t get reading in at night, then he hasn’t had any reading time with mommy at all that day.

So my question to you is…what are some other ways you fit reading into your daily routine?

Tags: Development, Give-A-Way, Tips, Contest

1 likes

Posted by:Rebecca | 3/28/2011 | 9:04 PM |
Sometimes I read to my girl while she is in the bath - she gets to play, I gt to watcj and she gets to hear a story at the same time. It doesn't matter if she isn't looking at the pages - she is certainly listening (and she'll remind me of that if I dare to stop!).

Posted by:Allison Katz | 3/28/2011 | 8:38 AM |
Congratulations to Kristy M, our week 3 book collection winner! I want to thank everyone that participated this week. I got some GREAT advice and tips on different ways to add more reading to our day. Thank you very much! Your comments mean a lot to me.

Posted by:Kerri | 3/27/2011 | 3:15 PM |
We read as part of our MORNING routine now. I read Sebby one story while his Daddy finishes getting ready for work and before he drives Sebby to school.

Posted by:Amanda Alvarado | 3/27/2011 | 2:54 PM |
I don't always get to read to dd. Most nights it's my MOM who reads to her. Since she usually comes over to eat dinner every night, she will read to dd while I am cooking dinner. Gotta love grandmas! If she's not here, I (or dh) try to read her a book before she goes down for the night.

Posted by:Francie | 3/27/2011 | 9:30 AM |
We work in reading time as part of the bedtime routine. It helps our 2 yr old boy calm down before he gets into bed. He looks forward to it every night.

Posted by:Anita | 3/27/2011 | 9:28 AM |
A lot of time we don't have time to read throughout the day so we try to tell stories whenever we're in the car. We make up stories or put surprise twists on classic stories. Or hubby tries to read a story after dinner to my kids while I clean up.

Posted by:Michele | 3/27/2011 | 9:26 AM |
My first is due in July, and I definitely plan on fitting reading in as a daily routine. I will try reading before bedtime or sneaking it in at any other free moment.

Posted by:Jessica Dobbs | 3/27/2011 | 9:26 AM |
My daughter LOVES the Llama Llama books!

She has a new baby sister, whom I end up nursing a LOT so whenever I'm on the couch feeding her sister, she will bring me a book and I'll read it to them both. And then she'll bring me another, and another!

Posted by:Jeannine m | 3/27/2011 | 9:23 AM |
We will read things when we are out like stor signs, boxes, traffic signs

Posted by:Randi | 3/27/2011 | 9:20 AM |
We sneak it in after just before nap and then again after bath. We all snuggle up on the couch and I let them pick out one book. It's a nice way to get them to wind down before it's time to go to sleep, not to mention that I love getting the extra wiggle free cuddle time. My two-year-old makes up his own stories to go with the pictures now.

Posted by:Celeste | 3/25/2011 | 5:12 PM |
We love reading and do it throughout the day. At the library, or even in the bathrub with busy little toddlers.

Posted by:Lindsay | 3/25/2011 | 2:22 PM |
I try to do my best and read to my daughter and son right before bed. If I know we aren't going to have time, I also read to them while they are playing in the bath. I am potty training my daughter so I read to her while she's trying to do her thing on the potty, too...usually they are potty books! I would love more books to read with them...please enter me into the drawing! Thank you!

Posted by:Nikki | 3/25/2011 | 2:13 PM |
My twins love books, we read all day. I make sure to read at least one book every night before bed.

Posted by:Misty Autumn Wettergren | 3/25/2011 | 1:17 PM |
I love this prize!!

http://doing-things-differently.blogspot.com/2011/03/our-home-birth.html

Posted by:Rachel | 3/25/2011 | 11:53 AM |
Our baby isn't here yet, but I read to him every night.

Posted by:Dona | 3/25/2011 | 11:18 AM |
I love to read to my boys before bed and also different times during our day.

Posted by:Cheryl | 3/25/2011 | 11:15 AM |
I read to my daughter everyday. It's part of our regular routine. I want her to love books as much as I do.

Posted by:Avon | 3/25/2011 | 10:00 AM |
My baby is not born yet but I've been reading to him out loud for about 3-4 months now. I set a time during the day when he's most active to read to him, hoping to establish a routine prior to his arrival. I am now 8 months pregnant. While reading, we're also supporting Jump Start For Young Children through We Give Books via online. For every book we read online, a book is donated to our campaign. I love knowing that my child can benefit from me reading out loud to him, and at the same time know that we're supporting a great cause. Why not start early right!?!

Posted by:rebecca a | 3/25/2011 | 9:22 AM |
im due in 9 days ans cant wait to meet my love!

Posted by:MeAgan | 3/25/2011 | 9:17 AM |
I think one of the best ways to fit in time for reading is the tried and true bed time story! Make is a ritual pary of your nightly routine and it will be second nature. Kids end up looking forward to it and it is a great way to unwind and relax. :-)

Posted by:Cheyenne | 3/25/2011 | 12:01 AM |
My boys get up at the crack of dawn, so we always do first thing in the morning. We try to fit reading into other opportune moments in the day, or for working moms, over dinner telling stories or sharing about the day. But the morning is a constant, and a great way to start! That way, before any school or activities or leaving the home begin, we've done our reading.

We also have books in just about every room of the house, so they'll pick them up on their own as well as give opportunities to read with Mommy at random moments. Potty training in the bathroom is a fantastic time to read together, too. :)

Posted by:Sonya | 3/24/2011 | 8:56 PM |
I make a point to always have books in my "mommy bag"... that way we can sneak in reading anytime there is a wait! This has come in so handy at places like not only the doctors office, but even at the grocery store in line or during traffic jams.

My favorite time to read though is bedtime for sure... nothing like cuddling up and snuggling with a little one and a story!

Posted by:Sarah | 3/24/2011 | 7:42 PM |
We sneak it in while waiting, for water to boil, or something to bake.

Posted by:Alicia | 3/24/2011 | 7:21 PM |
We read to our kids at naptimes and bedtime - two books each time. We have to limit how many we read, or they would sit for hours and let us keep going. My son has always loved books and my one year old daughter is following in his footsteps! :)

Posted by:Sarah B. | 3/24/2011 | 6:30 PM |
We read books at nap time and at bed time. My kids (fortunately) love reading time and would sit on our bed for an hour and listen while we read to them if we'd let them. We're usually trying to limit the books to one or two each a night. Another great way is in the car. If you don't get carsick while reading, you could always pull a book out while the husband drives or vv and read to your kids. Or go to the library and get the audio books and listen together while you make dinner or drive or do a craft. Kids absorb a surprising amount of something just in the background.

Posted by:Vanessa | 3/24/2011 | 5:04 PM |
We read every single night before bed. But, I've also gotten in the habit of reading before nap a bit too if we have time. In the summer, I enrole the girls in a summer reading program in which there are weekly prizes. They love it and so do I! :)

Posted by:Sarah | 3/24/2011 | 4:37 PM |
We read in the bathroom... while using the potty, before bed, during play time, aloud while eating, etc.

Posted by:Lisa bello | 3/24/2011 | 4:11 PM |
We keep books in pretty much every room in the house and car at all times, so when boredom strikes a lot of the times a book is their only option! Also we make my 8 year old read 2 fifteen minute books a night.

Posted by:Faye | 3/24/2011 | 2:38 PM |
I always read to my son right before his nap and right before bed. We have been doing this everyday for at least one year (he turns two tomorrow!) so he's used to the routine and looks forward to it. We have a wide selection of books on a bookshelf right by our reading chair and we let him choose what he wants to read. I also try to go to our Main Library to attend storytime as a way to encourage reading and get him excited about it. We also got him his very own library card on a lanyard so he wears it around his neck each time we go to the library and we let him scan the bar code. There are times he lets us choose the books but we also encourage him to choose his own so that he is really into it.

Posted by:Lori Weidner | 3/24/2011 | 1:21 PM |
We received Good Night Moon the day my son was born and I started then to read it to him every night at the hospital. Some nights in the first few weeks it ended up being read at the 1am feeding - but we made it a nightly ritual. We then added reading before naps once he got on a regular napping schedule.

My son, now 13 mos., loves books - a few books on a road trip will keep him happy for hours. Instead of a loved blankie or stuffed animal - he totes around one of his favorite books that he has to have with him all the time. He will go get books throughout the day to either read on his own - babbling the story on each page - or gives them to me to read to him. He won't go to bed/nap without a book to read in the crib - and falls asleep with the book on his chest. But it's there ready to read to himself when he wakes up - it's a great way to start the morning.

Posted by:Bliss Perera | 3/24/2011 | 8:08 AM |
We rotate board books in a cubby that Marie can reach. She'll play with toys, and then out of the blue, she'll reach for a book, and flip the pages.

We also keep books in the diaper bags, especially when we have doctor's appointments.

Posted by:Amy | 3/24/2011 | 2:12 AM |
We go get library books each week so we can read new and exciting books. We have our classics that we love but my kids get so excited to have new books they start reading in the car because they can't wait to get home to start their new adventures.

Posted by:Alexandra | 3/24/2011 | 12:31 AM |
I keep an ever-changing basket of board books in a visible spot in our living room. Having them right there encourages us to pick up books and read several times a day.

Posted by:Kristy Mathis | 3/23/2011 | 4:31 PM |
We have Bath books we read in the tub they make platic ones for the tub but you can also take everyday books into the bathroom and read while the play in the tub. I recommened having a book you know by heart so you can watch your child while in the water though. you can also read a book while they have snack. We read to our DD while she sits in her high chair instead of having the t.v. on.

Posted by:Michelle | 3/23/2011 | 3:30 PM |
My kids seem to want nothing more than to sit and read all day! I feel bad sometimes telling them "no" just so I can get my chores done in the day!
But, we read the Bible at the table together during breakfast, a story of their choice before naptime, many different books during school time (since we homeschool), occasionally, I will read them a story while they are in the bathtub, and then we read more Bible/devotional books just before bed. We also listen to books on cd while we are running errands in the car.
Reading is a very important activity in our family! :)

Posted by:Ana Sanchez | 3/23/2011 | 1:22 PM |
I read to my daugther (almost 3) all the time. For example, when we are in the store and she wants to look a toy I show her how the letters written in the box sound and how the sounds make a word and then she "plays" with it (it is more like playing with the box) while we are at the store. If we are in the street I point at signs and show her what it says. Now she has been asking more and more what it says everywhere. If you are driving you can bring books in the car so your kid can see them and you can tell him the story, (I am sure you knows all of them by memory now!) this is like a reading time toghether. And if he/she doesn't want to read before bedtime, don't worry they already read during the day in a fun way :)

Posted by:Natalie | 3/23/2011 | 12:43 PM |
I stay at home so we have circle time every day and read a couple of books during this time. We also read during bath time sometimes too. Then we always read at night. K is 3 years old and loves to pick out his two bedtime stories every night.

Posted by:Caterina | 3/23/2011 | 12:32 PM |
My son has really picked up on sight words. So he is constantly reading signs when we are in the car. We bring books everywhere so when there is a wait time (grocery line, doctor's office) we take out a book and read. We even have books made for bath time so we read then too.
Thanks so much,
Caterina

Posted by:alison | 3/23/2011 | 11:43 AM |
we go to the library at least once a week and we always read before bedtime and at least once during the day

Posted by:Gretta | 3/23/2011 | 11:35 AM |
We ask our kids to read books to us rather than us to them at least once a day.

bamagv at aol dot com

Posted by:Becky | 3/23/2011 | 11:05 AM |
I just started to read to my 4 month old daughter and she absolutely loves it

Posted by:Susan | 3/23/2011 | 10:18 AM |
We have books in every room and the car. We read whenever we have spare time and we also read together several times a day. We dont't watch television. We also listen to books on tape. Susan

Posted by:Laura M. | 3/23/2011 | 9:50 AM |
We always read before bed, and sometimes during the day for fun. We love to get new books from the library to make things more exciting about reading.

Posted by:Staci R. | 3/23/2011 | 9:45 AM |
My daughter loves to read, so it's not much of a struggle. We read at naptime and bedtime, and she will often "read" by herself throughout the day as well. She also has an e-reader (the VTech one) which she loves.

Posted by:Dana | 3/23/2011 | 9:32 AM |
Aside from the books at his bedtime routine, we ask him to pick out a book whenever he is getting into "trouble" to remove him from the situation and calm him down, but he loves to read, so we don't have a problem getting him to pick on out!

Posted by:shannon | 3/23/2011 | 9:29 AM |
We try to read things written all around us: cereal boxes, signs, and coloring books. This counts as reading, too. I also encourage my little ones to "read the story to me." They tell me the story based on pictures in the book.

Posted by:Kim | 3/23/2011 | 9:22 AM |
I am fortunate to be a SAHM and my little one absolutely loves books. She constantly is bringing books over and sitting in my lap asking to read.

Posted by:Britney | 3/23/2011 | 9:08 AM |
Reading with my boys (ages 2 & 3) is essential before naptime and bedtime. It transitions them from running and jumping to having to stay in their beds. It's hard for them to calm down without it.

Posted by:Toney | 3/23/2011 | 9:06 AM |
We try to read every night before bedtime as a calming down moment and quality time moment and just mommy and babygirl time....

Posted by:Neala Jones | 3/23/2011 | 8:45 AM |
I thank you for writing this question. I also have a hard time fitting in reading time after working all day. Have enjoyed reading the comments

Posted by:kim cady | 3/23/2011 | 8:40 AM |
Bathroom time is a great time to read! We keep books near the toilet for Bear to look at.

Posted by:Melody nelson | 3/23/2011 | 8:26 AM |
Our reading time is right after lunch. It works great to prepare them for naptime.

Posted by:cherith | 3/23/2011 | 8:17 AM |
We read immediately following dinner. As my six year old is starting to read more, we also keep books in the car so she can get lots of practice!

Posted by:Laura | 3/23/2011 | 8:16 AM |
I don't always get in a full book before bedtime, but I do find my little guy is more for reading a book if he picks it out opposed to me picking it out. I try to make a big deal about it being his choice. When time serves I try to do the same thing through the day.

Posted by:Tara | 3/23/2011 | 7:39 AM |
We read at bedtime. Sometimes I read to them during lunch. And most recently, an older cousin taught my kids to "play school" and now I can read to them during "school".

Posted by:Manda | 3/23/2011 | 7:02 AM |
We try to read to our kids after nap time (my son is 2 and my daughter is 1) We also read to them randomly throughout the day. We have a basket of a books in our living room and my son will grab book after book for us to read. He even finished some of the words and sentences! :D

Posted by:Janice | 3/23/2011 | 3:22 AM |
To fit reading into our routine we make it a part of the routine. We always read stories when my kids wake up as a way to help them not be grumpy, we read stories before nap and betime as well. With those times scheduled we always read, and sometimes we pull out a book during the day just for fun too.

Posted by:Chloe | 3/22/2011 | 10:48 PM |
We fit in reading before bedtime, or whenever my little one brings me a book from her shelf. :) She also loves to sit and "read" the books by herself.

Posted by:Shanea | 3/22/2011 | 8:32 PM |
I work full time too and I make sure I get books in before bedtime but I also keep books in the car and since I know many of them by heart I say them to my son while driving. Not the best but I try to get reading in whenever I can. At the grocery store he keeps a book in the cart with him. Not all of our reading is the active mom reading to child reading but we always take some books along :)

Posted by:Sally | 3/22/2011 | 7:31 PM |
We take turns. I read before nap times and my husband reads before bed time.

Posted by:Laura | 3/22/2011 | 7:11 PM |
I read to my kids at bedtime and at nap time. We also go to story time at the library once a week.

Posted by:Ashley Sumners | 3/22/2011 | 6:33 PM |
I work away from home too, and luckily my two year old LOVES to be read to. Much of his evening play involves choosing books for me to read. However, if he is playing instead, we ALWAYS read 2-3 books in the rocker before bed, and the last one is always Goodnight Moon.

Posted by:Valerie | 3/22/2011 | 6:33 PM |
It's not hard to get reading into our day, my 14 month old brings me books to read throughout the day! I will also recite books when doing random things (like changing his diaper in a Target bathroom). My husband and son also read together before bed every night, it's their bonding time. :)

Posted by:Amber | 3/22/2011 | 6:30 PM |
I used to try and do the night night book thing, but ended up losing that battle because it would make ME sleepy and not them ;) So now when the 3 year old gets home from preschool I sit down with him and my 1 year old, each chooses a book and they read it to me first (gotta love the 1 year old's garble, and the 3 year olds imaginitive stories) and then they graciously allow me to read them the books after :)

Posted by:Dorinda Miller | 3/22/2011 | 5:28 PM |
I love reading to my grandsons. We read before going to bed. They the book, Go Dog Go.

Posted by:Dorinda Miller | 3/22/2011 | 5:27 PM |
I love reading to my grandsons. We read before going to bed. They the book, Go Dog Go.

Posted by:Kristy | 3/22/2011 | 5:17 PM |
We also find time to read while I am preparing dinner. The kids pick a book and bring it to the table. They "read" the book out loud (since only 3 and 4, they "tell" a story to correlate with the pictures) and when I get to a point where I am just waiting for dinner to be done, I will then read the book they chose to them. Only a few minutes of reading, but I feel like I get to interact with them while making dinner and otherwise wouldn't get that time and they get to practice telling stories. A win-win for everyone! Guess how much I love you is often a book they choose to read!

Posted by:La Shae | 3/22/2011 | 5:13 PM |
We have a few of these books, but these are great suggestions to add to our library. Thank you.

Posted by:Jenn | 3/22/2011 | 5:12 PM |
We also like to read at bedtime. But another way I like to fit reading in is to have my 1st grader read to her little sisters and brother. She gets practice and it's nice to listen! We're always looking to grow our home library, the kids read our books so much they're always anxious for new ones! This would be a great addition for us!

Posted by:Christy | 3/22/2011 | 4:50 PM |
We love Goodnight Moon, that's the only one of those we own. We're in need of new material!

Posted by:Nicole Hale | 3/22/2011 | 4:42 PM |
All of my children LOVE reading!!! As homeschoolers - it's #1!!!! Reading Goodnight Moon will always be a special memory for my oldest boys. Please enter us in the drawing.

Posted by:Elizabeth Beer | 3/22/2011 | 4:41 PM |
I read to my little one before each naptime, and bedtime but she is still little, so she takes 2 naps a day. It's just a few minutes for each book, but it makes a big difference.

Posted by:Tamara | 3/22/2011 | 4:35 PM |
My daughter is only 6 months old, but she already loves book time before bed. Great giveaway!

Posted by:Frances | 3/22/2011 | 4:20 PM |
Our 2yo daughter makes sure she gets read to by constantly bringing us books...when we're sitting on the couch, at the computer, at the kitchen table, etc. I suppose our having stashes of books all over the house helps her be able to do this. She has two shelves and a basket in her room, a basket in the bathroom, a shelf in the dining area, and a bag in the living room. :)

Posted by:Jenae {I Can Teach My Child} | 3/22/2011 | 4:16 PM |
I think it is important to model reading yourself in front of your child. This is especially important for boys to see their dad reading (since it typically isn't something a little boy naturally wants to do).

Posted by:shelly | 3/22/2011 | 12:41 PM |
I try to fit reading into my daily routine by spending time reading aloud to my baby before bedtime or naptime.

Posted by:Michelle Riebeek | 3/22/2011 | 12:20 PM |
I love to ready to my daughter it is one thing we both share and I hope we always do. Guess how much I love you is one of our favorites!

Posted by:amy pugmire | 3/22/2011 | 1:46 AM |
I really try to do it as much as possible. I love to read during bathtime, at night and listening to stories on cd is another way we do. also she has v reader we do at night as well.

Posted by:PIOTR | 3/21/2011 | 3:18 PM |
Bedtime is the best time, with the pajamas on.

Posted by:Lena | 3/21/2011 | 12:38 PM |
We always read a book before naptime and bedtime!

Posted by:ashley lindberg | 3/21/2011 | 12:29 PM |
Bath time is a great time or even making up stories while in the car. Fingerplays and nursery rhymes are also quick and easy ways to work on language development and you could do those anywhere at anytime.

Posted by:Miranda | 3/21/2011 | 12:23 PM |
We always fit reading into our nightly bedtime ritual. We also raed to our boys throughout the day.