Published: 19th July 2024
We asked Lauren Whateley from the Bookmark Reading Charity for some ways to mix up your children’s reading, making it more fun – and helping your children to become better readers. Here’s some of her top tips:
Play games and have fun with reading, whether you are at home or out and about. Try playing ‘eye-spy’ with words, use drama to pretend to be characters and read in silly voices! You could even put on a puppet show and retell your favourite story.
Turn the subtitles on whilst watching TV so you can read along. Alternatively, you could also mute the TV and make up a story, based on what you think the characters are saying and doing. You could even compare your story with what actually happened in the episode later.
Reading is everywhere! Create a list of all the times you might have to read something on a grid or checklist. You could include books, recipes, menus, shopping lists, comics, the internet, magazines, newspapers and even road signs. Then, when you see one of them, tick it off your list!
Have a special spot to read! It could be a blanket fort, a place somewhere outside or just a ‘reading chair’. It can be used to read on your own or with other people.
If you’ve got a favourite film, see if you can find a book version. It might have some surprising differences!
If you’re making a long journey, why not listen to an audiobook on the way? You might end up listening to your new favourite story!
Find out where your local library is and visit it together. Take part in a reading challenge, and get recommendations from expert librarians on what to read – just ask for a book about something you’re interested in.
What better way is there to keep up-to-date with the world and have fun while you do it!
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