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Of course, this post applies to any caregiver - grandparents, babysitters, aunts, uncles - basically any adult who can read, who will be looking after your child and in your house.
Liliana, after having picked out books for her sitter to read. She stuck them in the shelf and was really excited about reading after I left.
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Last week, we had a last-minute babysitter coming to our house.
Usually, I have something specific queued up for a babysitter and Liliana to do together (whether they do it or not is another story). It just gives Liliana a specific focus when I am walking out the door. She can focus on doing "whatever I left out" instead of my leaving. Since this was a last minute gig, we did something I used to do in the classroom. We made a stack of books for the babysitter to read. I used to have kids make stacks or lists of picture books they wanted either me to read with them as a class, or have someone read to them on the weekend. This set the expectation that reading would happen and it gives kids the power to choose their books (super important!). |
This tip is just modified for at home-use. And, it's really simple.
You will need:
- Book Bin or basket
- Post-it note
1. Have a routine about doing it.
Whether the sitter reads the books or not, have a routine about selecting the books. Either have your child pick the books or pick them together before the caregiver arrives. This sets the expectation that reading will happen while you're away and it also shows your child that reading is important. Your kid is also involved in picking the books, which makes it more likely that it will happen!
2. Have a physical space set-up for the books.
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Be it a bin, a shelf on the wall, a specific chair you stack the books on - put books in the same place each time. This makes it easy for your child and the babysitter, grandparents, or caregiver to find.
Extra points if you can label that space. I label it with a post-it note. Try to keep this the same with every caregiver and each time they come. This way, there is a routine spot to go to so they can find books that your child has specifically picked to read with the babysitter. |
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3. Tell the caregiver that you have a space for special books for them to read with your child.
If you can, let the caregiver know with your child listening. Now everyone knows there are books set aside for the caregiver to read while you're away. Everyone has the same expectation.
Tips for Older Kids
As kids get older, and they still need a caregiver, but don't engage as much with the babysitter, have your child physically get out a book of their choosing. It does not need to be the book they're reading for school - but any reading material they want to look at. It could be a magazine, a newspaper, baseball cards, or a book they really wanted to try. Who knows? Maybe the sitter will be interested and they can bond over new reading material.
You could also try telling your babysitter/caregiver that it's cool if they themselves read in front of your kid (as long as everything is under control) so that your child sees someone else in their lives reading, too.
You could also try telling your babysitter/caregiver that it's cool if they themselves read in front of your kid (as long as everything is under control) so that your child sees someone else in their lives reading, too.
Enjoy!
