Ready Your Child for Reading with Discovery Journey

It’s never too soon to start your child on the path to reading. Simply talking to your infant and toddler helps her develop the vocabulary she will need as she enters school and begins to read. As you point to and name objects, she will begin to understand the meaning of words, and will eventually begin to incorporate those words into his vocabulary.

The U.S. Department of Education recommends beginning to read to your baby when she is six months old. According to their 2003 report, “Hearing words over and over helps her become familiar with them. Reading to your baby is one of the best ways to help her learn.”

In that same report, the Department of Education also recommends that parents reach out to groups that can:

• Help you find age-appropriate books to use at home with your child;

• Show you creative ways to use books with your child and other tips to help her learn; and

• Provide year-round children’s reading and educational activities.

Discovery Journey is precisely the type of service that the Department of Education recommends. After searching for age-appropriate books for your child, you can read the reviews written by our guides to ensure that the books convey the positive character messages to which you want your child exposed. While other online booksellers offer reviews, those reviews often don’t take into account whether the content is appropriate for a given age group. Discovery Journey is unique in that, as parents, our guides are aware of the importance of providing young children with reading material that enhances the values that you hold dear. 

Along with each book review, Discovery Journey provides suggestions for related activities that you can do with your child, or trips that you can take together as a family. Just as the Department of Education recommends, we’ve found that a child’s love for reading grows when the words on the page come to life through experiences shared as a family. For example, after reading Eric Carle’s Ten Little Rubber Ducks to your toddler, you can explore our related activities and learn all about real ducks, make ocean snacks, or go on a family outing and feed the ducks at a nearby pond.

In order to help your child get ready to read, the Department of Education also recommends:   Using sounds, songs, gestures, and words that rhyme to help your baby learn about language and its many uses. Pointing out the printed words in your home and other places you take your child, such as the grocery store. Spending as much time listening to your child as you do talking to her. Taking children’s books and writing materials with you whenever you leave home. This gives your child fun activities to entertain and occupy her while traveling and running errands. Creating a quiet, special place in your home for your child to read, write, and draw. Keeping books and other reading materials where your child can easily reach them. Reading books, newspapers and magazines yourself, so that your child can see that reading is important. Limiting the amount and type of television you and your child watch.

Discovery Journey provides you with support and encouragement in setting the stage for your child to be a successful and dedicated reader. Our reviews help you choose appropriate material and our suggested activities can keep you and your child engaged and interested in reading books that instill strong character values. Whether your child is an infant or a teenager, Discovery Journey can make a positive contribution to your child’s reading and learning experiences.

Founders:  Susan & Brent Sitton

Discovery Journey

12400 Hwy 71 W Suite 350-251

Austin, TX 78738

512.809.2983

9:00 am - 5:00 pm CST