How to Keep Children Reading over the Holidays

Children look forward to the holidays as a time to rest and enjoy a slower pace of life. However, this break may affect their reading ability, and the “holiday slide” is a term used to refer to the decrease in reading ability that often happens following a lack of reading over the break.

To prevent this, parents must encourage their children to continue reading even during the holidays. 

In this blog, we cover our top tips to keep your child reading through the break. 

To find out how we can improve your child's reading skills through our personalised English tuition, book a free assessment with NumberWorks’nWords today. 

Our Tips to Keep Kids Reading

Firstly, parents should make reading time fun and quick. They can read together with funny voices, use humorous books to engage reluctant readers and aim for no more than ten minutes of reading together. 

Secondly, during summer holidays, parents can take their children to bookstores and the local library regularly. This can help to drive reading passion, as bookstores and most libraries often sell popular children’s books for less than $10 and many public libraries allow children to borrow up to twenty books for their holiday and summer reading, for free.

Thirdly, allowing children to choose what they want to read is a vital component of the reading process. Parents should let children choose their books as it helps in developing strong, self-sufficient readers. 

Fourthly, parents can make a screen-free night part of their family’s routine where everyone in the family picks book recommendations and makes up something to read aloud. This not only encourages children to read but also shows them the value, enjoyment and fun of reading by seeing their parents read and talk about books.

Fifthly, parents can give books as gifts. Birthdays and Christmas for kids mean presents and more books in the house can never go astray. Parents can encourage their children to lend and swap their books with friends once they have read them. 

Lastly, when parents are reading together with their child, it is a great idea to give them the option of how they would like to read. Parents should provide the opportunity for children to choose whether they would like to read a book aloud or silently and check if they would like to talk or try paired reading if they feel like talking or they need extra support with the book.

Christmas Holidays

The Christmas break is a great opportunity for children to rest and enjoy a slower pace of life. However, it is important to keep them engaged with reading during this time, as it will help maintain their reading ability.

There are various ways to make students do this, and parents should consider incorporating reading into as many festive activities as possible, such as writing up stories and reading Christmas cards. Additionally, parents can consider setting reading goals for their school books, writing them down for their children, and rewarding them for achieving those goals.

Making it Fun

Moreover, reading can be made more interactive by encouraging children to keep a reading journal, where they can write down their thoughts about the books they read, draw pictures and illustrations, or create a one-word collage of difficult words. This not only keeps children engaged and interested in reading but also improves their writing skills. Furthermore, parents and teachers can consider reading books together as a family, which will not only create a great bonding experience but also help in the reading habit and developing a love for reading in children.

Parents can also consider some more ideas by organising or creating a holiday reading challenge, where children of age groups are given a list of books to read, and they have to choose from the list and read them within a given timeframe. This holiday reading challenge could also include a reward for completing the challenge, such as a trip to the bookstore or a favourite restaurant.

Community Events

As the holidays unfold, consider exploring local community events that promote reading. Many towns and cities host festive literary events, book fairs, or storytelling sessions during the holiday season. Attending such events can add an extra layer of excitement to your child's reading experience. They may discover new authors, engage with book and kids reading-related activities, and even meet like-minded peers. 

These events create a vibrant literary atmosphere, reinforcing the idea that reading is not only a solitary activity but also a shared passion that can bring communities together. By immersing your own child's teacher in these enriching experiences, you not only foster their love for reading but also cultivate a sense of belonging in a wider world of literature.

Setting Reading Goals these School Holidays

Setting specific reading goals for the age group of your older children for readers and children can turn reading into a rewarding challenge. for reading tips Create a list of books tailored to their interests or explore new genres together. Establish achievable milestones and celebrate their accomplishments with small rewards, like a special treat or a fun outing to a local library. 

This not only motivates them to keep reading but also fosters a sense of accomplishment.

In addition to these activities and summer reading together, consider involving your child in a book club or reading community. Many online platforms offer virtual book clubs for kids, providing an opportunity for them to discover and discuss their favourite books and magazines with peers. This not only enhances their reading comprehension and critical thinking skills but also allows and encourages them to share their love for literature and story, with others.

Remember, the key is to make reading enjoyable and integrated into the holidays. By incorporating these creative strategies, you'll not only keep your children reading over the holidays but also instil a lifelong love for books and learning.

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At NumberWorks’nWords we are passionate about helping children become confident readers. We offer individualised English tuition, with a focus on building confidence and establishing strong literacy skills in young learners. To learn more about our tailored English tutoring, get in touch with your local centre, or book a free English assessment today!