Halifax Learning Centre's Holiday Reading Tips

During holiday breaks, children are off their regular learning and homework schedule and as a result often do not do as much reading.  With all the business that comes with the holidays, it can be difficult to make time to find ways to keep your child engaged in reading.  In order to keep your child interested in reading over the holiday season, the team at SpellRead at Halifax Learning put together these fun tips to keep reading skills in place!  

• This year while baking holiday goodies, let your child help you by reading the recipe card to you.  This will allow him or her to practice reading skills while also practicing measuring skills.  It will also provide some fun bonding time for the two of you.

• As holiday cards are arriving in the mail, let it be your son or daughter's job to open them and read them aloud.  This will be a fun and unique way for them to practice reading skills.  To help practice writing skills too, you could consider letting him or her write the notes that you are sending out in your own holiday cards.

• Make sure to give your child at least one book as a present, even if there were not any on their wish list.  Halifax Learning can offer many wonderful suggestions for all ages and interests and suggest many local Halifax authors and writers. 

• Make an effort this holiday season to let your child see that you read for fun too.  Take a little time out of your busy lifestyle to catch up on some good reading for yourself.

• Take time to find a book to give your child that adheres to an interest that they have. For example, if your child has asked for a telescope, hunt out a book about stars and space, at the appropriate reading level.  By finding a book that ties to a hobby or interest, your child sees that reading can be interesting and rewarding.

• Spend some time taking your child to the library over the holiday break.  Let your child guide her learning by letting her select the types of books that she want to read about. Take note of what she shows interest in and be sure to show excitement over her finds.

• During holiday festivities and time with family, give your child a chance to share a favourite book with everyone, and read it aloud. This gives the child a special opportunity to share his or her reading ability with people that he or she may not always get to see.  This is also a way for your family members to share in the excitement of watching your child grow and progress.

• Start a reading tradition.  Select a holiday book for your child to read each year during the holidays.  Let each family member take a turn reading it every year.

• After finishing a book together, ask your child questions about the story.  Find out which character was his favourite or how he felt about the ending.  These conversations can help your child continue to think about the story while also letting you get to know your child better.  

• Make sure to invest time into reading with your child every single day.  Make the time that you spend together happy and memorable and something that they look forward to each day. 

Reading time does not need to be spent exclusively reading materials for school.  Reading is an essential life skill that you can cultivate in your child by providing daily experiences and opportunities to read.  We hope that these unique reading and writing tips will help your son or daughter continue reading during the busy holiday season.  We at Halifax Learning value your child's education and pursuit of reading. Please do not hesitate to Contact Us with any questions or comments.

The Team at Halifax Learning wish you and your famliy a wonderful holiday season!