Hey Story Lovers and Friends

As the rays of the summer sun grace us with warmth and the days stretch lazily ahead, I find myself cherishing the simple joys of reading outdoors while my girls play. There's something scintillating about flipping pages under the open sky, the laughter of little ones echoing in the background and the smell of pure nature.

Embracing Summer: A Season for Bonding and Reading

I recognize the Summer as an excellent opportunity to bond with our children through shared reading experiences. Even with my oldest, we may not be reading aloud together, but we are sharing the same energy while reading individually in our theater room, lit dimly with calming tunes in the background

Practical Tips for Integrating Reading into Summer Fun

• Create Reading Nooks Outdoors: Set up a cozy spot in your backyard. If you don’t have a backyard, doing this on the front porch or at a local park should do the trick! I find that changing the scenery can captivate your reading experiences.
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• Incorporate Storytelling into Daily Activities: Our youngest girl is 2 and loves to be read to at any given moment. Whether it's a bedtime story under the night’s stars or a fable shared during a little picnic, incorporating reading/storytelling into everyday moments can make reading a natural part of your child's day as they grow.
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• Visit Local Libraries and Bookstores: Just in case you did not know; many libraries offer summer reading programs. A lot of times, you’ll find that these programs are followed by arts & craft and playtime. Joining reading programs can motivate children to want to visit the library more. In other words, to read more.
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• Lead by Example: I stand 100% firm on this last tip; Children often emulate their parents. When children see us parents/caregivers dedicating time to our own reading, you are demonstrating that reading is both enjoyable and valuable. Split some of the phone browsing time with reading a book

Looking Ahead...

As we savor the other half of the summer, let's grasp at the chances to connect with our little ones through the shared joy of reading. Sharing these moments not only enriches their minds, it also creates cherished moments leading to moments that can last a lifetime.
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I also have my first book, Margot’s Building Adventure, launching late this Summer!

About Me

My summer has been going wonderfully! Aside from work, writing and bonding with my family, I’ve been preparing to welcome our youngest reader, another baby girl, to arrive in the world.

With gratitude & a happy dance,

Jade Mcleod

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P.S.

I'd love to hear about how your summer is going and how many books are left from your summer reading list

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