San Angelo Reads! Resources and Tips for Families

By turning reading into a family bonding experience, children are more likely to develop a lifelong love for books. Here are some engaging ways families can inspire a love of reading at home:

1. Create a Cozy Reading Space
   Designate a special, cozy area in the house for reading with comfortable seating, good lighting, and a selection of books. A dedicated space can make reading feel like a retreat.
2. Read Together
   Make reading a family activity. Read aloud to your child, even as they grow older, or take turns reading to each other. Choose books that you both enjoy, making the experience fun for everyone.
3. Set Aside Daily Reading Time
   Establish a routine where everyone in the family reads for a set amount of time each day. This could be after dinner or before bed. It helps to create a consistent habit of reading.
4. Make Books Accessible
   Keep books in every room or have a little bookshelf where kids can easily access them. The more visible books are, the more likely children are to pick them up.
5. Lead by Example
   Let your children see you reading. Whether it’s a book, magazine, or newspaper, demonstrating a personal love for reading shows them it’s an enjoyable, lifelong activity.
6. Visit Libraries and Bookstores
   Take regular trips to the library or local bookstores. Let your child explore, pick out books they’re interested in, and experience the excitement of borrowing or purchasing a new book.
7. Engage with Stories Beyond the Pages
   After reading a book, discuss it with your child. Ask questions about the story, characters, or illustrations to encourage critical thinking and deepen their connection with the material.
8. Incorporate Technology
   Use e-readers, audiobooks, and reading apps to make reading more interactive. For children who struggle with traditional books, these can provide a new way to experience stories.
9. Celebrate Reading Milestones
   Create a family reading challenge or track the number of books read. Celebrate small milestones with rewards, such as picking out a new book, going to a fun event, or simply praising their achievements.
10. Use Reading as Part of Daily Life
    Encourage children to read signs, menus, recipes, and instructions during daily activities. This shows them that reading is not just for books but an important part of everyday life.
11. Introduce Different Genres
    Expose your child to a variety of genres—mystery, fantasy, nonfiction, poetry, etc. This can help them discover what types of stories resonate most with them.
12. Connect Books to Real-Life Experiences
    Pair books with real-life adventures. For example, if you’re going to the zoo, read a book about animals beforehand. This makes reading more exciting and meaningful.

Comprehension of Fiction and Non-Fiction Books - Parents can use this quick one page reference sheet to determine comprehension of fiction and non-fiction books.  

Why Reading to Your Kids in Your Home Language Will Help Them Become Better Readers - This article provides suggestions of ways that you can help your child develop his or her literacy skills in your family's native language and explains the research behind the recommendations.

Por qué leerles a sus hijos en español los ayudará a ser mejores lectores - Este artículo le ofrece sugerencias que pueden ayudar a su niño a desarrollar sus habilidades para la alfabetización en la lengua materna de su familia y explica la investigación tras las recomendaciones.

Tips for Supporting Reading Skills at Home - The article provides tips to help parents and guardians develop their student's reading skills at home with evidence-based practices from classroom settings. 

Math Literature Connections - View book recommendations which help build connections between reading and math to enable your student to develop their mathematical and literacy skills. 

How to Encourage Good Reading Habit in Kids - This article provides suggestions on ways to help encourage your student to read an how to build reading habits. 

SORA  - San Angelo ISD is excited to partner with the Tom Green County Library to provide free access to thousands of e-books and audiobooks to SAISD students through the SORA reading app. 

Istation At-Home Access - Students can access the Istation program at home through these instructions. 

Acceso a Istation en Casa - Los estudiantes pueden acceder al programa de Istation en casa siguiendo las  instrucciones que se indican a continuación. 

If you need additional resources to access books or literacy initiatives in our community, you can find some helpful links below. 

HEB read3
Tom Green County Library 
Junior League of San Angelo 
Children's Advocacy Center of Greater West Texas, Inc Family Enrichment Services