Reading and Environmental Print
Reading begins the moment you speak to your little one in the womb. It's the words they hear and feel.

Nurturing a love of reading doesn't need to be hard (unless something else is going on). Reading should be natural and part of our daily our lives. Reading is something we do daily, sometimes without realizing it and that’s why environmental print is a huge part of a child’s reading journey.

Evironmental print is what we see everyday. It's the words on a cereal box, the bag of animal food, labels in the pantry and any other words a child sees often. Pointing out and reading the words you see supports that reading foundation I talked about in my previous post.

*If reading is a struggle for your little one, read to them and don't push. Reading should never be a negative in a little one’s life. It should be a time to connect, to imagine and a time to enjoy.

*Another side note-Follow the child and let them explore books even if they are beyond their reading level, this is not important. FOSTERING a LOVE of READING is KEY!

Some simple ways to do this to build environmental print into daily routines.

Make grocery lists together (for little ones, you write the word and your child can illustrate) and then look for the items on the store shelves while pointing out the words.

While driving point to STOP signs and any other street sign and have your child help you look for them!

Look for stores along the way and point out branded stores that have large signs.

When you go out to eat, point to the restaurant's name and logo.

While preparing food, let your child help and talk about the words they see while preparing food.

Label things around the home (sink, bathtub, door, table…)

Before you know it, your little one will be pointing and "reading." Yes, memorizing is the beginning! It's why children want to hear a story over and over! Point as you read the words and watch as they begin to do the same.

There are so many ways to make reading a part of daily life. I would love to hear what you do!?!

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Meet Joey Hodlmair

 
Hello! I'm Joey,

A 41 year old mama of one, my miracle baby. I'm a lover of all things nature and you'll often find me barefoot in the garden. I was raised "wild" as many would call it today. I spent my days outside as a child, collecting rocks and sticks and swimming with my ducks. We made beautiful art from our nature treasures and ate lunch with dirt under our nails. The best part~I was raised by my mom. Unfortunately a woman that didn't know her worth and to this day wonders if the childhood she provided us was enough.

My mom and my childhood~Are the reasons I'm here in this space. To encourage you to find the calm in where your heart calls you to be. To encourage you to leave the hustle behind and be connected with what truly matters. 

I wasn't raised with all the latest and greatest,  but I was raised at home by a mama that made the mundane, magical. Her time was and is a gift. I'm here to tell you to let go of what the world wants you to believe a child needs in order to be happy.

More about me~ I am an empath, raising an emapth. My work is currently supporting families raising emapths.  My love language is acts of service, but I'm working on putting myself at the top of the list. I can play several instruments by ear, but the cello is probably my favorite. I'm a recovering workaholic, once a woman that believed her worth was determined by how much she accomplished...I love homemade food and meals at the table. I am an introvert, that loves being home, yet craves connection. I'm Hispanic, Chinese and Native American. I'm a infertility warrior that once dreamed of 7 children. I'm a work in progress and thankful for this chapter in my life that has taught me to never judge a book by its cover.  

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