4 Tips to Create Strong Homeschool Readers

Are you discouraged because you’re not sure how to help your struggling reader? Maybe you want to read more yourself, but you’re not sure where to start. 

Recently, David and I interviewed Sarah, who is the content creator behind A Sweet and Simple Home on Instagram. Besides being a content creator, she is a homeschool mom and an avid reader. She seeks to help families find age-appropriate books for their children and help entire families unlock a love of reading. Additionally, Sarah is a mother to three young children. 

In the interview, Sarah provided many great points on becoming a wise reader who can find age-appropriate books. 

• Identify safe publishers.
• Utilize older books and scan them.
• Use online communities and resources.
• Apply reading tools/habits.

Literacy Rocks!

First, identify safe publishers. Do online research or find content creators like Sarah who talk about safe publishers. Sarah recommended the following publishers:

• Crossway
• The Good Book Company
• Harvest House
• Moody Books 

Next, search for older texts and scan those books for content issues. Sarah suggested older books because they lack modern agendas, but are rich in language. You can search for these books at thrift stores, library book sales, or community yard sales. Also, check the book’s summary and illustrations for any troubling themes. Sarah highly suggested searching for who has endorsed the book and seeing if that raises red flags for you. 

Third, use online communities and resources. The internet offers many options to research safe books for your young readers. Sarah recommended using Facebook groups, such as Book Reviews for Christian Families. Additionally, you can use sites such as Common Sense Media or Sarah’s online Etsy guides (see links below). You can also find and follow trusted reviewers on Instagram or Facebook for safe recommendations. Feel free to follow me on Instagram @thebookwormgirl_bethany. I recommend age-appropriate books for young readers.

Apply reading tools/habits as a homeschool family. Borrow audiobooks from your library. You can also use apps such as Hoopla or Libby, which your library will offer (sometimes). Also, play audiobooks on car rides for auditory stimulation. This will create memories for your kiddos! 

Read aloud during meal times or snack breaks. Sarah highly suggested reading together when you’re all sitting at the kitchen table. Lastly, model reading behaviors as a parent. Let your kids see you reading and set your phone down. Show your child the beauty of reading a good book. 

Conclusion

Now more than ever, we must create readers. We must show children the power and importance of reading. As life becomes more tumultuous and technology-filled, we need to show our children that books can provide escapism and relief. Reading can empower us and strengthen our minds. It can improve our communication skills and empathy. Books and reading can change our lives forever…for the better.

Click the link to join our Facebook group!

This information came from a resource in the interview with Sarah @ A Sweet and Simple Home. 

- NxtEra

Written by Bethany (@thebookwormgirl_bethany)

Helpful Links: 

Etsy Guide: How to Build a Home Library: Classics Edition - Etsy

Etsy Guide: The Home Library Starter Kit: How to Build a Life-giving Library - Etsy

Amazon: A Sweet & Simple Home's Amazon Page

Facebook: (1) Facebook

Facebook Group recommendation from Sarah: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18VtX1dQDy/

Instagram: Instagram