As the new year arrives, it’s the perfect time to set new goals and embrace fresh beginnings. What better way to start than by embarking on a literary adventure with your children? Setting reading goals with your kids can transform their world, broadening horizons and nurturing a lifelong love of books.
Why Set Reading Goals?
Reading goals provide structure and motivation for young readers. Setting targets can boost children’s confidence, drive motivation, improve literacy skills, and introduce them to a variety of genres and topics. A book club specifically for kids can also turn solitary reading into a joyful, shared experience.
Here’s how you can make this New Year a chapter-filled delight.
- Start with a Discussion
Involve your children in the goal-setting process. Discuss what they enjoy reading—be it mysteries, adventures, fairy tales, or factual books about animals, space, or history. Encourage them to express what kind of reading adventures they are eager to explore this year.
- Set Clear, Achievable Goals
Start with a manageable target. Perhaps it’s reading a book per month, or diving into a new genre every quarter. For younger kids, this could be completing a picture book weekly. Older children might aim for a more challenging novel each month. Ensure the goals are appropriate for their age and reading level to keep momentum and enthusiasm going.
- Create a Reading List Together
Compile a reading list that excites everyone. Engage your kids in this process to give them ownership over their reading journey. You could explore classics, contemporary hits, and recommended children’s books or seek suggestions from your kid-friendly book club’s reading list. Aim for variety to keep it interesting.
- Make Reading Fun
Transform reading into an adventure. Consider themed read-aloud nights, where you act out stories together, or a weekly book discussion dinner where you chat about recent reads. Use bookmarks, reading charts, or stickers as incentives. The key is to make reading an enjoyable activity, not a chore.
- Encourage Review and Reflection
Teach your children to reflect on what they’ve read. After finishing a book, sit down and discuss its themes, characters, and their thoughts about the story. This not only deepens comprehension but also allows kids to articulate their opinions and feelings on the lessons learned.
- Incorporate Technology
In today’s digital age, consider using e-readers or audiobooks, to engage reluctant readers and slowly transition them to paper books. Online book clubs or forums for kids can also provide additional motivation and social interaction centered around reading especially for reluctant readers.
- Celebrate Milestones & Achievements
Finally, celebrate your kids’ reading accomplishments. Whether it’s a material reward, a fun day out or just words of encouragement, acknowledgment goes a long way toward building confidence and fostering a love for reading.
As you step into the New Year, remember that each book is a doorway to a new world. By setting thoughtful reading goals, and selecting the right books, you and your kids can embark on countless journeys together, chapter by chapter. Happy reading!