Plan reading activities for children

Several studies show that children who consistently read in the “summer” holidays return the following school year an average of three months ahead of their non-reading peers.

They exhibit sharper comprehension and analytical skills than their non-reading friends as well. They are better able to relax and concentrate.

Their verbal skills are sharper and their empathy skills increase.

The trick is to make holiday reading fun and natural – even for reluctant readers.

Above all, reading must be relevant to children’s lives. Children should always be in charge of their reading choices with some helpful guidance from their parents. If you try to force children to read, they will be resentful so take this opportunity to make this an exercise in independence.

Here are some ideas about holiday reading: 1. Check online for interesting tips – There are many newspaper and magazine stories that appear just before the holidays that can guide you in a fun-filled holiday selection of books. Have children do their research and choose the books that look most interesting to them.

2. Creative interactive reading experiences – The Guardian newspaper online in England suggests interactive activities that connect to reading.

One article suggested trading card activities.

Ask children to create trading cards about books they have read and books they are reading. The activities could include information about a character, theme or plot of a book.

3 Put children in charge of research for your holiday trip – Children enjoy a sense of power and this gives them an invested interest in a trip you’re taking. You can also ask children to do research on items they want to buy for the summer. Let them go online and find information about the puppy they want or the bicycle they want. This is a way of keeping their research skills sharp for when they return to school.

4 Earn movie vouchers – Let children do their research on books being turned into movies. When they read the books, and talk to you about them, they get a prize: movie vouchers for the book they have read or even a movie in general.

5. Give a book allowance for the summer – Provide students with a set allowance that can only be used for books.

The allowance goes up every week or every month if they can prove they read the books.

6. Organise a reading party – Have a party where children dress up as their favourite character in a book. All the children make some presentation about their book.

They can read a favourite passage and talk about why they liked a particular book.

This activity is their ticket to a party that celebrates a character from a book.

Remember to consult the Internet for many fun-filled holiday reading activities.

Also check NALIS for holiday activities.