Reading Beyond Books

Typically when you think about reading, your first thoughts go to a book. You imagine rows and rows of hardcover and softcover books. You might even think of the library. What you might not realize is that reading goes far beyond books.

Reading can be found in practically any place in this world. There does not have to be a bookshelf, or library, or classroom nearby. We read every hour of every day. It is just that we have been too narrow-minded when it comes to reading and only think of books. If you really want to explore the world of reading and even encourage reading in your children, you have got to think outside of the box.

You're sitting in the doctor's office. Take a look around. Where do you see the opportunity to read? There are probably signs on the wall giving instructions to the patients or quoting a proverb. On the tables in the waiting room will be magazines. Inside the doctors examining room you can find posters with diagrams and words.

You're at the grocery store. There are signs over each aisle to tell you what items you can find there. There are labels on each and every product that explain to you the name of the item, what is in the food, and other nutritional values.

Taking a trip, whether it is across state lines or just across town, you will discover words. You have to read a street sign. Billboards catch your eye as you pass by. You cannot help but notice the business signs down the road.

Reading can be found everywhere. Even while watching a movie words are read either on signs, the titles, or the introductory scroll to explain the history of what you are about to see. As you are cooking, you encounter reading. Putting together a bicycle requires reading. Every part of our life involves words.

Now that you know that reading can be found outside of the library, consider how you try to encourage your child to read. Are you always pushing a book into their hands? Are you expecting them to jump right in and love to read pictureless books? Are you confused why Oliver Twist does not grab their attention? Have you tried to think of reading outside of the book?

Show your child that reading can be fun using a magazine that is full of the subject that interests them. Get them reading billboard signs. Create a game while traveling where everyone has to read road signs, business signs, and billboards to come up with the answers. Reading is everywhere, and it does not have to be boring. Make reading fun, and make it come alive.