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Incorporating more reading in to your day

9 replies

seeyouinanotherlifewhenwearebothcats · 27/08/2024 20:24

Hi all, I have a DS6 who is a good reader. Once he’s back at school he will have his reading books and I know he will read plenty. But for holidays and when off school, how do you fit it into the day? He gets a story every night that me or DH read to him. And we’ve done the Famous Five adventure books where I’ll do a chapter a night with him and he loves that. I did get books from the library that he could read himself to me over summer but finding the time to do them is hard. I have two younger DDs. I suppose what I’m asking is where do you fit in reading of any kind in your children’s day? Thanks

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SkankingWombat · 27/08/2024 21:34

My DDs are 10 and 8yo. I don't often listen to them read anymore, as their reading ages are 16 and 12yo respectively and they are already able to read aloud engagingly. When I do listen to them, is it usually because they request it.
Up until they became 'free readers' (which is classed as being at expected level for the end of yr6 for us), I would listen to them read for 10 minutes every night before bed.

They are expected to read for at least 10 minutes a day before they can play/watch TV etc. During term time they do this when they get in from school, but during the holidays they tend to do it in bed before they get up. They will often read for longer of their own volition, but that is the minimum expectation. I am not fussy about what they read as long as it is age-appropriate, and they have a wide choice of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, graphic novels and comics to choose from.

I also read to them most nights, choosing a book they'll enjoy but is either a bit beyond their capabilities or has themes that are best explored with a grown up to talk them through as we go.

We listen to audiobooks in the car, particularly on long journeys, although it can sometimes be tricky to find a book that appeals to both DCs as well as us adults (although this is getting easier now DCs are older).

I can't be doing with library trips and remembering to the return books, but can't afford frequent trips to Waterstones either. We buy almost all of our books second hand. Most come from Ebay at around £2.50 including p&p, although if passing, I will check out charity shops too.

seeyouinanotherlifewhenwearebothcats · 28/08/2024 16:00

Thank you for this! Great ideas for the future to encourage independent reading. Love the audio book idea, definitely going to borrow that one! Smile

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Singleandproud · 28/08/2024 16:05

Routines

We have a quiet 30 mins mid day and have done since DD was about a year old (although wasn't a full 30 mins back then and I read to her and then read my book outloud to her whilst she played quietly), tea, a few biscuits, no screens allowed and a book and we both sit down and read.

Always having a book available and model reading a physical book yourself, going on the bus or passenger in the car - get a book out, having to sit and wait somewhere - get a book out, made a fort in the garden - get a book out you get the idea.

Library visits are important both for children trying out and keeping your local facilities but the BookPeople (I think they trade under a different name now) were fantastic for cheap booksets

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seeyouinanotherlifewhenwearebothcats · 28/08/2024 19:46

@Singleandproud thank you for this! I do try my best to model, when oldest two are at the park and baby is asleep in pram I’ll sit on the bench and read - bliss! Love the idea of incorporating this into a routine at home, thank you! I’m trying to switch from watching a tv show at lunch time to me reading aloud to them but it’s early days and not yet routine but I shall persevere!

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okayhescereal · 28/08/2024 19:57

DS is just going into year 1 so we're in a similar boat.

We have it as part of the morning routine (early risers!!) that he brings a book in with us and reads us a story to start the day. I also have books in the car that he can reach and will ask if he fancies reading me a story as I'm driving. If I'm reading the bedtime story I'll suggest he do a page or two. Sometimes he says no and that's fine but mostly we're just incorporating it into the every day stuff. The other day we went to the park and he wanted to know what the sign said so we read it together, we read street signs, signs in shops, house names etc. if I'm cooking I'll ask him to help with the recipe, he reads the list when we're out shopping. He also does the maths on adding together the shopping total as we're picking up items. Anything to keep it in the every day realm so it doesn't feel like an additional extra..

Hope this helps!

okayhescereal · 28/08/2024 19:58

The other morning I got a lie in as he decided to read his sister a story in their room rather than come and read us one as usual...that was a punch the air moment!!! Also super cute!

seeyouinanotherlifewhenwearebothcats · 29/08/2024 00:05

@okayhescereal that’s incredible thank you so much! Great ideas. So adorable that he read to his sister! 🥹

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Peasnbeans · 29/08/2024 00:14

Play board games where they have to read.
Reading jigsaws, esp if they can 'help' younger siblings.
Remember reading goes with writing / markmaking -
Make shopping lists
Birthday wish lists (cut out from catalogue, but write the label for granny - copying words counts too - they have to read them!)
Lego / model instructions
Word 'snap' in the paper with highlighter pens - you find a word, they find a word.

I have a million more of these ideas if you are interested!!

seeyouinanotherlifewhenwearebothcats · 29/08/2024 19:30

Oh yes please @Peasnbeans !

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