How to Keep Kids’ Reading Progression on Track During the Busiest Time of the Year
The magic, the anticipation, the time off from school… holiday breaks are what childhood memories are made of!
The holiday season is a magical time filled with so much excitement. However, it can also be a time when children's reading habits may take a backseat due to the many distractions and festivities. You’ve probably heard of the summer reading slump. While holiday breaks are shorter, it’s important to help keep your kid’s reading progress on track.
As parents, it's not only important, but possible to find ways to keep kids engaged in reading even during the busiest time of the year. To make this a little bit easier for you during the hectic holiday season, here are our tips on how to maintain your child’s reading progression.
Make Reading a Family Tradition
One of the best ways to keep kids reading is to make it a family tradition. Incorporate reading into your holiday celebrations by choosing books that are themed around the season. Visit your local library or school library to browse through holiday-themed stories that will spark your children's imagination. Whether it's a cozy evening by the fireplace for a Christmas read aloud or a festive gathering with extended family, make the act of reading a cherished part of your holiday memories. Need some ideas on how to make reading a family tradition?
- Read A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore, also known as The Night Before Christmas on December 24 each year.
- After your town’s Christmas tree lighting presentation, make hot chocolate and read a book together.
- Always give a holiday-themed book to your child on their first day of school break.
Set Holiday-Based Reading Goals
Create a sense of excitement and motivation by setting holiday-themed reading goals for your children. You can even create a sticker chart to help them track and visualize their own progress.
Offer rewards for reaching milestones, such as a special holiday treat or a new book, to help children stay focused and motivated to continue reading throughout the season. For example, if your child reads ten books during the holiday break,
What milestones could you encourage your child to reach? Ask your child to help choose a goal so they’ll be motivated to reach it.
- Read at least one book per day on holiday break.
- Read together every night before bed.
- Read a certain number of holiday books before your family’s holiday.
- Read a certain number of pages together during the month of December.
Have a Holiday Read Aloud
Choose a holiday-themed book that you can read aloud as a family every night. This is a wonderful way to bond, share stories, and create lasting memories. Reading aloud can also help children develop their listening skills and vocabulary.
Looking for books to read at Christmas with your child? These are some of our favorite holiday books for kids:
- The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
- Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko
- All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins
- The Sound of Kwanzaa by Dimitrea Tokunbo
- Carla and the Christmas Cornbread by Carla Hall
- Our Favorite Day of the Year by A. E. Ali
- Eloise at Christmastime by Kay Thompson
- The Truth About Mrs. Claus by Meena Harris
- Oskar and the Eight Blessings by Richard Simon and Tanya Simon
- Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin
Get Other Relatives Involved
If you're seeing family over the holidays, encourage them to read with your children. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles can be instrumental in your child’s literacy journey by creating special moments that can help children make lasting memories with their loved ones that are connected to books and reading.
Create a Cozy, Wintery Reading Nook
Designate a special spot in your home as a cozy reading nook. Decorate it with comfortable cushions, blankets, and soft lighting to create a relaxing atmosphere. Make it a space where your child will want to spend time reading and exploring new worlds.
Limit Screen Time
It's important to set limits on screen time during the holidays to ensure that children have enough time to read. Encourage them to spend less time watching TV or playing video games and more time reading books.
In the same token, if your child feels overwhelmed or overstimulated during the holiday break, which can even happen to adults, try to avoid using screens as way to calm them. Instead, try having quiet time, sensory play, deep breaths, or reading to help calm an upset child.
Attend Holiday Storytime Events
There’s nothing like holiday storytime to put yourself in the spirit! Many libraries and bookstores offer holiday story time events throughout the season. These events can be a fun and engaging way to introduce children to new books and authors. Join your child, cuddle up on the carpet, and listen to a magical holiday story.
Give Books as Gifts
Giving a book as a gift is a wonderful way to not only encourage your child’s love of reading, but connect with them on a deeper level. By giving them a book that you love, or one you think they’ll enjoy, you’re modeling thoughtful gift giving. You’re also normalizing giving books as gifts, showing them that reading is fun, important, and a typical part of life. You can even involve your children in selecting books as gifts for their siblings and kid relatives.
You can also give reading-inspired gifts to your children, like the Preschool Box or Lil Readers Club. These keep on giving and arrive throughout the year, encouraging your child’s learning journey beyond the holiday season. The books you give your child now help them build their personal libraries and encourage a lifelong love of reading.
Lead (and Read) by Example
The best way to inspire your children to read is to lead by example. Let them catch you with a book. Talk to them about how reading helps you decompress, even during a busy time of year. Make time for yourself to read and show your children how much you enjoy it. When they see you reading, they're more likely to follow suit.
By incorporating these tips into your holiday routines, you can help your children maintain their reading progression and create lasting memories. Remember, the most important thing is to make reading a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone. Happy holidays!