How Kids Book Clubs Spark a Love of Reading
Reading is one of the most powerful ways to support your child’s development, accelerate their education, bond with your kiddo, and ignite a lifelong love of learning. But sometimes, finding the motivation to consistently read with your child (or even know where to start) can be a challenge, both for kids and their parents. That's where book clubs for kids can come in!
What is a Book Club for Kids?
A kids' book club subscription box is a service that delivers a curated selection of children's books directly to your doorstep on a regular basis, often monthly. Most are geared towards a certain theme, age, or interest and support literacy, preschool-readiness, and child development. Your child may even be eligible to receive Subscription Box Kids for free, right to their door each month. It's a fun and exciting way to build a personal library and discover new literary adventures together.
How Does a Kids Book Club Spark a Love of Reading?
Kids' book clubs or subscription boxes effectively ignite a love of reading in children in a myriad of ways. The anticipation of receiving their own package and the excitement of the "unboxing" create a sense of anticipation and ownership. These boxes often introduce children to diverse books across various genres, broadening their horizons. Many include engaging activities and crafts related to the books, and approaching reading holistically as an interactive and creative experience. Of course, reading also supports their educational journey overall, introducing them to math, science, and other concepts. Over time, the subscription builds a personal library, making books readily accessible at home.
Ways to Get Your Child Excited About a Kids Book Club
Is receiving a monthly book subscription a new experience for your child? That’s so exciting! We have a few tips for you to make the most of it.
1. Get Excited
Is your child disinterested in reading? Present each new delivery as a special event. Add the expected delivery day to your child’s calendar. Talk about receiving the new delivery. Ask them what they think will be in the box. After all, who doesn’t like getting exciting mail? "Guess what arrived today?" or "Let's check the mail together together!" can build anticipation and excitement. If you’re excited about receiving the new books, you’ll model the behavior you want to see your child exhibit.
2. Connect to the Theme
Many subscription services have monthly themes. Use these themes to guide conversations that you have with your child. For example, if the theme is “harvest time," talk about different crops, seasons, thankfulness, and other topics related to harvesting, furthering their reading comprehension. Find opportunities to talk about the theme outside of reading time, too. Talk over dinner, in the car, or when your child brings it up to you.
3. Read It Again and Again
Don't just read the book once! Re-read favorite passages, have your child read aloud, and even act out scenes together. Repetition helps build fluency, comprehension, and a deeper appreciation for the story.
4. Include the Whole Family
Brothers and sisters can join in regardless of their reading level. Older children can read to younger siblings, while younger children can listen and follow along. As your child’s reading level develops, have them practice reading to their older siblings too. When relatives or friends come to visit, make reading together an activity. This creates a wonderful opportunity for shared learning and bonding.
5. Go Beyond the Pages
Extend the learning beyond the book! Encourage your child to complete the activities related to the monthly theme. You can also add your own! Head to the library and ask the librarian for book recommendations that have a similar theme. Your child may want to engage in imaginative play and pretend they’re one of the book characters. Your child could also draw a scene from the book or write a similar story, inspired by the characters.