5 – 8 Years

Your child is now in school. They develop their own relationships with friends and family members and do more on their own. They use a lot more words and are starting to read and spell words including their own names. This is an important time to sing, talk and read to help your child succeed in school and life. If you don’t have one already, now is a good time to get a library card. Use it to access your local library.

Your child is using more words all of the time.

Talk with your child every chance you get to help their language skills grow. Use words that may be new to them. Talk with them about their day and yours on the way to and from school, at breakfast or while making dinner. Choose books that allow your child to learn new words and have fun with language.

Book Ideas

E-mergency By Tom Lichtenheld and Ezra Fields-Meyer	Flicker flash By Joan Bransfield Graham and Nancy Davis	The amazing bone By William Steig

Your child craves affection and establishes friendships.

Your child looks to the adults in their life for affection from their parents, teachers, caregivers and other family members. Find time in your busy day to be with them. Take a moment when folding laundry to talk about their friends. Turn on music and sing together while cleaning the house.

Read with your child at bedtime. Choose books about adult and child relationships such as Lily y su Bolso de Plástico Morado by Kevin Henkes and Mom, It's My First Day of Kindergarten! by Hyewon Yum. Books about friends and siblings like Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo are also good options. Sing bedtime songs from when your child was younger that comfort them, especially during stressful times.

Your child learns to read.

As your child starts to read, choose easy reader books that match their interest. They also develop a sense of humor at this age. Simple joke and funny books are good choices.

Book Ideas

Anna Hibiscus By Atinuke	Let's go for a drive! By Mo Willems	Just joking : 300 hilarious jokes, tricky tongue twisters, and ridiculous riddles By National Geographic

Your child can write their name.

Encourage your child to write and draw at home, while waiting for the doctor, on the Metro or at the park. Talk to your child about what they are writing or drawing. Take turns writing the alphabet or drawing animals. Choose books about drawing and other crafts. Books will give you lots of fun ideas for projects you can do with your child.

Book Ideas

Adventures in cartooning By James Sturm	Dreaming up : a celebration of building By Christy Hale

Your child becomes a better reader.

The more your child reads the better reader they become. They graduate from easy reader books to easy chapter books like Nikki and Deja by Karen English. Choose books that have more words than pictures like Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds by David Adler and Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe. Even if your child can read on their own, continue to read aloud together.

Your growing child is interested in rules, fairness and the world.

Your child has a greater interest in the world around him and asks a lot of questions. He has a better understanding of the concepts of right and wrong and fair and unfair. Read stories about good versus evil such as fairy tales and myths as well as non-fiction books about real-life events.

Book Ideas

The empty pot By Demi	Extra yarn By Mac Barnett	If you decide to go to the moon By Faith McNulty