Category: Personalized Gifts

Reading Over the Summer

As one of the most versatile skills a kid can have, reading often gets forgotten once summer starts. But reading over the summer can help your child stay at their current reading level and even get better. Reading can be fun and informative, and that should be emphasized when encouraging kids to read over the summer months. Here are some ways you can keep your kids reading while keeping it fun and interesting over the break.

Visit Your Local Library

Many schools and local libraries put out their own summer reading lists. Some also offer copies of books for kids to take without a set deadline or due date to return. Depending on your child’s school or what grade they’re in, they may receive a list of suggested books per age range. This can be a great starting point for finding books that your child can read over the summer, especially if choosing a book takes up a lot of time.

Libraries might offer workshops or activities surrounding summer reading, which can be especially helpful for kids who want to spend more time being active and social over the summer. Not only can libraries provide the books your child can read and engage with, but they may have other books (and other activities) that they may be interested in as well.

Shake It Up

Reading lists can sound a lot like homework, especially for kids who have required reading lists to get through. However, if you spin it into more of a game it may help. Treat your kids’ reading list like a quest in a video game – if they read as many books as they can, they get a prize. Think of something small but rewarding, and it could make the entire summer reading list worthwhile.

Reading personalized books making children the star of their very own story can intrigue kids. These books build self-esteem and promote literacy all while making reading fun. From popular characters they know and love, to celebrating their birthday and other milestones, there are many books to choose from at KD Novelties.

Start a Summer Book Club

Most book clubs are found at your child’s school or local library. If none exist, you can start one by getting together with other parents to set one up. Making a weekly get-together can make summer reading more interesting.

However, book clubs can include more than just discussions. Organize games, plays and other activities inspired by the books you’re reading. Set up a movie night where you watch the film adaptation or go on themed field trips. Alternatively, finding books with movies or related activities and field trips can be useful for kids reading on their own as well.

Consider Alternatives

Though kids should be actively reading, sprinkling in audiobooks can be helpful too, especially if your child has a required reading list. Audiobooks can be just as engaging, especially if the narrator does voices or really gets into acting out the dialogue, and it can also help kids exercise their listening and comprehension skills, too.

Why Some Kids Dislike Reading & What You Can Do About It

The Possible Reasons

Why some kids dislike reading can be because of a number of factors. Forcing a child to read is not a great approach for reluctant readers. There is likely a reason why your child is shying away from books or reading in any form. It’s important to get to the bottom of the issue before doing anything else.

For many kids, a reluctance to read is intrinsically linked to other learning concerns, and even disabilities. Kids with dyslexia, for example, may shy away from reading because they find it too difficult and challenging. Traditional reading methods simply do not work for them.

In other cases, kids may be too hyperactive to sit and focus on reading, much preferring to play or do something physical. Other children may find reading boring for other reasons and are easily disinterested in the things put in front of them.

Tackling the Issue

For kids with learning disabilities like dyslexia or even kids that are on the spectrum, you will first need to find out what works for them. Getting them the help they need to learn how to read as early on as possible is important. This is especially important when it comes to keeping them at the right reading level for their age and grade. Once you find a way to help your child grasp reading skills, you can employ some of the other fun methods to get them hooked.

 

Activities to Make Reading Fun

With creative activities, you can help engage troubled readers as well as  kids who simply find reading boring. Here are some ideas to pique your child’s interest and help overcome their qualms with reading:

• Scavenger Hunts
  Create a scavenger hunt, looking for words, letters, phrases, or anything else you can think of. Before you start make cards for your child to find. Hide them around the house. Try using construction paper and other arts and crafts materials. Have the kids join in on the creativity too!

Good for: kids that can’t sit still, find sitting and reading too boring, or kids who are still learning to follow narratives

• Sight Word Hangman
  Use sight words in a friendly game of hangman! Hangman still employs key reading and vocabulary skills. This game is known for helping kids remember words and boost their spelling abilities.

Good for: kids who struggle through words or get easily distracted

• Write Your Own Book
  This is a great way to get kids interested in books. It also helps to find out exactly what they might be interested in seeing in other books. Most of all, it makes a great memento you can keep forever. Journaling over the summer is a great time to do this project.

Good for: kids that can’t sit still, find sitting and reading too boring

• Recorded Readings
  Record yourself and your child reading books or acting scenes out aloud in regular or silly voices. (Think: robot, alien, fancy, impressions, etc.)

Good for: kids that can’t sit still, find sitting and reading too boring, kids who get easily distracted

Promote Reading with These Ideas

• Make a Library Trip 

Take your child to pick out their own book at the library. Do not make an suggestions and offer no judgement. Let your child read it when he wants to and where he wants to. Total freedom.

• Stay Up Late 

Let them stay up later, but ONLY to read. Let your older kids stay up 30 minutes later than their younger siblings if they want to read. (They will always say yes.)

• Get a Personalized Book

Make them the STAR of their very own story. They become the main character which will put a unique twist to reading. Personalized Kids Books are a great way to get reluctant readers reading again. They will love reading about their very own adventures.