Guest Blog from Maria – Poole Mumbler
If your child doesn’t want to read at home you are definitely not alone. Ideas to make reading and writing fun for kids!
Write a journal: Encourage your kid to write a journal about their own experience during the lockdown. Their writing level isn’t an issue, even if they can only write a few words because you can also include photos, drawings and anything else you’d like.
Make a comic book: Does your child love drawing? They’ll love this activity. They’ll need to write an introduction to the story and dialogue between the characters. This will help them come up with a story in their head and practice their writing skills.
Refresh your library: Many online book shops have great promotions at the moment. I’ve just come across Books2Door which was rated by Mumbler parents. You can order books in bulk for the reading level your child is at, and at a very good price. I’ve just placed my first order!
Play spelling games: Spell words with chalk in the garden or any outside space; bounce a ball around letters written with chalk on the floor; spell words with your fingers on a baking tray filled with flour… the options are endless.
Play Story Box: We got this game as a hand-me-down from a friend who’s an English teacher and we LOVE it. Although your kids won’t be writing the story, the thinking process will definitely be there. They’ll have to follow and understand the story to come up with the next line.
Take turns to read: Do you have a reluctant reader at home? Make a deal with them. You read one page and they’ll need to read the next. Make sure you use lots of funny voices and theatrical movements. You want to make them laugh and get them excited to read with you.
Lead by example: There’s no doubt kids learn from our own behaviour. Get some yummy treats ready and get cosy under a blanket with a good book in hand. Encourage your child to join you with their own book. It may not last long the first few times but it’ll take the ‘chore’ element out of reading. It’s supposed to be fun!
Get them a magazine subscription: There are many magazines to choose from. Check out the National Geographic for Kids, The Week Junior, Eco Kids Planet, Anorak, and more options here.
Download e-books and audiobooks: The use of technology will carry some novelty – at least for a while. You’ll also have more choices. And audiobooks still train the brain to follow and understand a story.
Install the free Borrowbox app (Android, iOS and Kindle Fire) and you can access thousands of titles from Gateshead Libraries 24 hours a day. All you need is a library card number and a PIN, and there are no reserve charges or fines.
Enter a competition: Janno Media have an awesome story writing competition with a difference – winning stories will be turned into an animated video. Ready, Steady, Write!
Thanks so much to our guest blogger Maria. If you have family or friends in Poole, Dorset then be sure to let them know about the Poole Mumbler website.
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