You believe that reading matters and recognize the importance of developing strong early literacy skills. You actively encourage little ones to check out books from the library and find ways to celebrate April’s School Library Month.

No doubt you leave public libraries with a bulging bag-o-books and scour the web for the best stories as a guide to buying more. You also spend cozy evenings reading wonderful stories at bedtime, prompting sweet dreams.

What else can you do to support early literacy? Begin book swapping!

Talk with other parents and encourage little ones to select books they’re willing to share. Next, organize book swaps with their friends and help youth initiate conversations about the stories. Guide their discussions with simple questions about what they liked, disliked, their favorite characters, and scenes. Did they like the book’s ending? If they had written the story, would they change it? If so, how?

Book discussions help little ones strengthen reading comprehension skills and explore stories from multiple perspectives.

Before you know it, your little ones will be organizing their very own reading club, surrounding themselves with friends who will help foster their love of reading.

What ideas do you have for developing a love of reading in your young learners? Share your ideas here!