Editor The New Year is a great time for those looking to make a fresh start. It gives us all hope for new beginnings and healthy habits. It is a good idea to let children develop a positive attitude towards reading from an early age. Here are some quick tips to help your kids set sustainable ‘Reading Goals for 2022!’
Working towards reading goals not only improves your child’s literacy but research says that completing goals provides children with a sense of accomplishment and builds their self-esteem.
- Make a plan/chart:
Make it fun start for them by first drawing up a chart/routine to mark off each goal.
Tip: Keep space for stars (or rockets or dinosaurs!) for each baby step towards the final goal.
- Start with the basic: I will read X number of books this week
Once they start finishing these small goals, you can encourage them for bigger goals like I will read a new author every week. Or I will read X number of books this year.
Older children can read the books themselves, while younger kids may need to read with adults or have the books read to them. The goal at younger ages is to familiarize children with books and instill a love of stories and reading.
You can try personalized storybooks that feature the child’s name & character throughout the story. These books help engage and entertain young readers, as they feel they are the STAR of the storybook. Order some such books for your kids here.
- Add some twist with interactive reading/role play:
I will read X number of books to my sibling/cousin/friend this year. Add in a few evenings of enacting some books, staging a drama or role play with friends. Re-living their storybook characters adds excitement which boosts further reading.
- To make the goals sustainable through the year, start with small goals & celebrate small victories.
- Tips for some smaller goals for the younger kids:
- I will read about a new topic every month
- I will learn about the authors of the books I read
- I will learn xx new words from my books every week
Attaining a reading goal should be cause for celebration. While you have many possible rewards for reaching reading goals, the most appropriate reward is a book. A personalized book like ‘Birthday’ or ‘Lost Smile’ will be a constant reminder of the child’s achievement, as well as a treasured keepsake.
- Track these goals
Create some Prints to keep track here or Print a Restickable customized calendar here. Stick these in an area that is accessible to your child. Keep tracking the goals to give your kids a practice of conscientiousness.
- Join them by setting your own reading goals!
Children learn best by what they observe. So join them with your own reading chart or read your book once while they read theirs. Always carry a few books while travelling. These small cues help children develop a life-long friendship with books.
We hope these tips help you raise a budding bookworm in 2022. Please tag us on social media if you post about your kids reading habits or if you have some other ideas that we could add here!
