How to Foster a Love for Reading as the Holidays Approach
As the holiday season draws near, parents are often on the lookout for meaningful ways to keep children engaged and entertained. One of the best gifts you can give a child during this festive time is a love for reading. Developing a passion for books not only improves literacy skills but also sparks creativity, imagination, and curiosity. With more time at home and the excitement of the season in the air, this provides the perfect opportunity to encourage children to dive into the world of stories.
Here’s how you can help foster a love for reading as the holidays approach:
Create a Cosy Reading Space
The magic of reading can be enhanced by creating a special place where children feel comfortable and excited to pick up a book. Whether it’s a corner of their bedroom, a cosy nook with blankets and pillows, or even a mini fort, having a dedicated reading area can make story time feel more enjoyable and special. You can decorate the space with holiday-themed cushions, fairy lights, and a basket filled with books to encourage them to retreat into their own little world of stories.
Choose Holiday-Themed Books
Nothing captures the magic of the Christmas season quite like stories set during this festive time. From classic tales of giving and togetherness to heart-warming adventures, holiday-themed books are a great way to keep children engaged in reading. Introduce stories that align with the excitement they feel during this time, whether it’s books about Christmas or New Year’s celebrations. Books with bright, colourful illustrations can further enhance their interest in reading and bring the magic of the holidays to life.
Make Reading a Family Tradition
The holidays are all about spending quality time together, so why not incorporate reading into your family traditions? Whether it’s reading aloud before bed, sharing a holiday-themed story over breakfast, or starting a tradition where each family member chooses a book to read together, making reading a family activity shows children the value of books and storytelling. Reading aloud to younger children or taking turns reading with older ones can create cherished memories that last long after the holidays.
Gift Books as Presents
Books make wonderful holiday gifts that keep on giving. Selecting age-appropriate books for your child as part of their holiday presents can inspire a sense of excitement around reading. Personalised books, where the child is the main character, or beautifully illustrated editions of classic stories, can make the experience even more magical. Consider creating a book advent calendar, where your child gets to open a new book each day leading up to the holidays. This adds an element of surprise and fun to their reading journey.
Visit the Library or Bookstore
With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, a quiet trip to the local library or bookstore can be a peaceful and rewarding experience for children. Many libraries and bookstores offer holiday-themed reading events, storytelling sessions, or book signings that can spark a child’s interest in books. Letting them choose their own books gives them a sense of independence and ownership over their reading choices, making them more likely to be excited about diving into their selections.
Be a Reading Role Model
Children often model their behaviours after the adults around them, so if they see you enjoying books, they’re more likely to develop a love for reading themselves. Make time to read your own book while they read theirs, or sit together and share a quiet moment reading side by side. Talk about what you’re reading and ask them about the stories they’re exploring. Showing genuine enthusiasm for reading helps children understand that books are not only educational but also a source of joy and relaxation.
Make Reading Fun and Pressure-Free
While encouraging a love for reading is important, it’s equally important to keep the experience fun and stress-free. Avoid putting too much pressure on children to finish a book or read at a certain level. Let them explore different types of books, even if it’s comic books, picture books, or magazines. The goal is to create a positive association with reading that will last beyond the holidays. Offering praise and support for their efforts, no matter how small, will motivate them to continue their reading journey.
So, whether your child is curled up with a holiday tale or exploring their imagination through creative storytelling, the joy of reading will enrich their holiday season and beyond.
Sources:
- https://thespoke.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/how-to-keep-kids-reading-over-the-christmas-break/
- https://giglets.com/article/promoting-the-power-of-reading-to-parents-during-this-winter-break
- https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/play-learning/literacy-reading-stories/reading-storytelling
- https://teachkloud.com/early-childhood-education/how-to-foster-a-love-of-reading-in-children-3-easy-steps-f078af68eea2/
- https://www.softlinkint.com/blog/how-to-get-kids-reading-for-pleasure-these-school-holidays/
- https://numberworksnwords.com/au/blog/top-tips-to-keep-kids-reading-over-the-holidays/
- https://www.kiwico.com/blog/parent-tips/how-to-foster-a-love-of-reading-in-your-child