“Back to School” has a totally different meaning for most kids this school year. Currently, a number of parents are adjusting to their kids’ virtual at-home learning routine, where now, teachers are conducting classes online, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While juggling home life, work life, and school life, it’s easy for incorporating a regularly scheduled reading routine to fall by the wayside. Did you know that if a child reads 20 minutes every day, they are exposed to about 1.8 million words of text every year? In this post, I’ll share 3 ways to keep kids engaged in reading - even during a pandemic and while learning at home.
Find books that cater to your child’s interest(s). If you’re having trouble getting your child to enjoy reading, half the time they’re just not interested in the content. If they’re into performing arts or sports for example, find books they can relate to and resonate with. While they’re learning at home, parents can use this time to introduce them to different genres and subject matters for exposure. A helpful resource for exposing kids to various topics is this reading list that highlights 100 diverse children’s books in the following areas: race/anti-racism, biographies, self-esteem, Caribbean/African diaspora, family/arts, and STEM.
Incorporate reading and writing activities to boost reading comprehension. Read alouds are great for this. There are a number of authors and public figures taking to social media and reading their book live on Instagram and Facebook (check out @PBSKids on Instagram, for example). You could also follow your child’s favorite authors and consider reaching out to them directly to see if they'd be interested in hosting a virtual read aloud for their young readers.
Encourage your child to mail a handwritten note to their favorite author after reading their book. Have them include what they’ve learned, their favorite part(s) of the story, and ask a burning question. This will help develop their writing skills and improve their reading comprehension. Imagine the delight your child will feel when their favorite author writes back!
Use digital resources that will help parents supplement schools’ curriculum. In addition to remote learning, parents can incorporate interactive reading apps to supplement their school’s reading curriculum. Below are 3 apps that can help strengthen your child’s reading skills. All apps offer a free 30-day trial:
Epic! is a digital library comprised of thousands of books for kids under 12. The app includes quizzes, read alouds, and interactive learning videos.
ABC Mouse makes learning fun. You can play games and go on adventures while you learn to read. You can also customize the characters.
HOMER allows readers to have a personalized experience. Books and activities are tailored to the child’s reading level and interests with over 20 different topics to choose from.
Which one of these tips are you excited to try? Happy reading!