With the holidays around the corner, it’s a great time to start thinking about ways to spend more time as a family, and what better way than by reading together more? Creating goals turns reading into a fun activity that your kids will look forward to in their free time. Here are five tangible family reading goals recommended by teachers.
Goal 1: Add just one more book per night.
Reading one extra book to your young child each day can have a huge impact on their language development. The more books they’re exposed to, the greater their vocabulary becomes!
Don’t have a reading routine already in place? Teachers recommend reading one book per day together as a great place to start!
Goal 2: Have at least one conversation about books every day.
Talking about books gets kids more eager to read, and makes it a natural part of their everyday life. Ask questions about their current interests, and be intentional about book talk. These conversations can help you pinpoint books they’ll love!
Goal 3: Dive into poetry together.
Poetry can expand your child’s vocabulary and is easy to memorize because of their often rhyming, lyrical structure. Sit down with a book of poems and let your child choose what appeals to them.
Goal 4: Host a family book night and learn more about authors.
Create a comfy spot in the house with books, and have the family read and trade their favourite stories. Showing how fun it can be to share books with loved ones will instil a love of reading in your child.
You can also join a live read-aloud with authors on Storyvoice! This will help build a personal connection between your child and their favourite author, and help keep the reading momentum going.
Goal 5: Ask more questions after story time.
The story doesn’t end when you close a book. Read the same book together a few nights in a row, then ask your child questions about what you’ve just read.
Questions like “What do you think this story would sound like from another character’s point of view?” or “Close your eyes and imagine you were there. What would you do?” encourage critical thinking and can help gauge your child’s reading comprehension. Encourage your child to ask you questions too!
Start your reading goals with great books and activities from Scholastic Book Clubs!
Originally published by Scholastic Parents on August 30, 2023. Versioned for Scholastic Canada.
Scholastic Book Clubs helps kids discover the joy of reading. Together, we put can’t-miss books into kids’ hands—at can’t-miss prices, while also giving back to a teacher's classroom!
Visit us onlineBookjoy or bust! Millions of children have discovered books—and a lifelong love of reading—at a Scholastic Book Fair.
Visit our site