Helping my kids develop a love of reading is such a big goal of mine. I want them to be able to gain the same joy, excitement, and sense of "escape" I get to experience with reading, and I also know the important benefits that come from being an avid reader.
Why Read?
- Reading sets the stage for the rest of a child's learning. Children who read more have an easier time learning different skills, and they are also able to learn more independently since they can read and understand directions for homework.
- It allows kids to develop their own interests and passions, and gives them the chance to do their own research and learning about things that they love.
- It is physically relaxing. It lowers blood pressure and heart rate, reduces stress, and makes it easier to fall asleep.
- It grows vocabulary, giving them more understanding of words we use on a daily basis as well as introducing them to new words they may not otherwise encounter.
- It helps us to grow in empathy with others. When we read about people in stories, and especially the way they think, feel, and respond to different circumstances, it helps us to grow in seeing other peoples' views and to understand how they may be feeling.
- It gives us more connected relationships. Reading together as a family can be a very sweet and special time of bonding and connecting, and has the potential to build sweet memories.
- As believers, reading can strengthen our relationship with God and help us to grow in character and faith, first and foremost through reading His Word, and also when we read devotionals, Christian living books, and other faith-building material.
So hopefully I've convinced you that making an effort in reading is worth it! Here are some ideas to help you fill your days with some great reading:
- Make reading time a special, comforting time. Maybe you can set up a little reading corner for your kiddos, or make your kids their own little "book baskets", filled with some books to read, a little blanket, a drink, maybe a snack...If reading is done along with other happy and comforting things, it will help kids to see it as a joy and not a chore.
- Sign up for summer reading! Even this year with libraries and bookstores closed, there are summer reading programs available! Some libraries are offering their programs online, and a few have opened up enough to allow for in-person pickup of reading charts. Look up your local library and see how they are handling summer reading this year. It's amazing what a fun sticker chart can do in inspiring kids to read!
- Let your kids help you choose which books they want to read (if you're worried about them choosing something you won't approve of, or will be overwhelmed by all the options, have them select from a set of books you've already approved.) If a kid chooses the book, they are much more likely to have a vested interest in it!
- Make reading a family affair. Read aloud to the kiddos while cuddled on the couch, or curled up on a blanket outside. Or, have a "reading party" where everybody grabs a few books and sits together reading on their own (or looking at pictures for pre-readers). I am particularly fond of this option because it means I get to read a book I love while still enjoying time with my kids.
- Use the awesome (and totally free) printable from Raising Rices! This fun sheet has a wide variety of different books for kids to color in after reading them, making it super easy to ensure our kiddos are getting a nice wide range of genres to enjoy.
Our goal this summer is to have our kiddos read 20 books! This might seem like a big number, but if you tailor the lengths of books to your kids' reading level, it should be totally do-able! We hope you will join us in making this summer count by growing a love of reading in your kids (and yourself, too!)
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