Summer Reading with Kids
Our backyard is one of my favorite spots at home. The kids not only enjoy playing but they also like it when we lay down our mat (we love our banig that’s made from the Philippines!) to hang out and read. We do this early in the morning to avoid the intense heat since we live in Texas. Brent and I teach our kids the importance of reading and books. It helps from brain development, creativity, to broadening their vocabulary. Books and activities refrain them from being too dependent on gadgets. Whenever my kids read, it also serves as my “break time” from all the noise in our household. It gives me time to recollect and recharge even for just a few minutes.
Our books are mostly given by families and friends while some we bought from Amazon. I also love buying books from consignment stores. I score some pretty good finds because most of the time they still look brand new. My kids and I love going to the library to look for new reads. This is also a good way of checking whether a book is worth buying or borrowing. I made a list of what books my youngest son likes when he was little in my previous post. You can find that here.
I like to expose my kids in Tagalog books, too. This way they can recognize and learn Tagalog words easily.
Reading and sharing stories at an early age can help your child become familiar with sounds, words, and language.
Here’s a list of books that what we currently enjoy now:
English Books
Amazing Animals (a nature adventure. One of our favorite books about animals. Thanks to my sister-in-law, Suki!)
Summer (my husband’s favorite summer childhood book)
We’re Going On A Bear Hunt (My boys love everything in this book. Make sure when you read you read the part “What’s that!??”, make it sounds exciting 😉 )
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Tagalog Books
Bahay Kubo
Halu-Halo Espesyal
Ang Arko ni Noah
Alphabeto sa Bayong
Hating Kapatid
Tagu-taguan (a counting book in Filipino)
Ako si Kaliwa, Ako si Kanan
Araw sa Palengke
I think it’s important to introduce books to kids at an early age. There are countless educational apps out there but nothing beats learning from books. It sparks curiosity and imagination that surely will benefit them as they grow up. Are there any books you and your kids like to read?
What a fantastic list of pre-approved books for kids! I think the first one I will get is Going on a Bear Hunt!
Totally worth to buy!!
Great collection of books! Reading during the summer always helped me so much as a kid.
Thank you!
I love the selection of books ! when did you start reading to your kids? When ever I try to read to my toddler he is just all over the place and does not want to pay attention. Any tips?
My husband and I read books to our kids since they were newborn. There were moments before 2 years old that our kids don’t want to listen and start to play. We just keep on putting our son on our lap and keep on reading. We like to introduce exciting books at first like pop-up books, lift-the-flap books, about bears etc to get their attention. Hope this helps!
Books have been a part of my children’s lives since they were born. You’ve named several of our favorites. We love Eric Carle books and “The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear” [Don Wood]. It is wonderful that you are introducing your children to the books in Tagalog.
I haven’t heard these books! I better check them out in the library! I think my boys will love the Big Hungry Bear.
I ABSOLUTELY agree! I think creating a reading environment as early as possible is absolutely crucial. And any person supporting their local library is also important!
Books are so great for kids! A wonderful way to spend time with kids in the summer!