When I was in the 3rd grade, my teacher would periodically call for reading days. These were days we brought sleeping bags and pillows to school. Everyone curled up on the floor, enjoyed a good book, and munched on popcorn. Reading days were awesome! Here are the top five reasons you need regular reading days.
Why You Need Regular Reading Days
1. Everyone Needs a Break
Reading days give you the chance for a change of pace from the normal frenzy of cramming math and grammar into your children’s heads. That’s not to mention guilt because you forgot to pick up the science supplies for this week’s experiment. Instead take a break. Sit down and enjoy a good book with your children.
The entire family gets a well-needed change of pace.
2. Immerse Yourself In Another World
Have your children had the opportunity to lose themselves in a good book? To spend the day wandering through Narnia with Lucy, Edmond, Susan, and Peter? What about exploring Middle Earth with Bilbo or Frodo? Often we fill our days with too many activities for our kids to have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a good book. There’s math, spelling, and chores to be done. Legos keep calling our children’s names to come and build.
Stop the chaos for a day. Let you and your children immerse yourselves in another world.
3. Focus on Skill of Reading
While we teach our children to read, sometimes we forget that kids need dedicated time reading to learn to love reading. It takes time and practice to become skilled readers. Some children naturally take to reading and will spend the time necessary to gain the skill when you first teach them to read. Other kids can think of better ways to spend their time.
Reading days give you a time to focus on giving your kids the skill of reading.
4. Homeschool When Everyone is Under the Weather
Reading days are wonderful when the entire family is under the weather. Instead of calling it quits, call it a reading day. Encourage your kids to curl up with a big mug of peppermint tea as they read their favorite book. Cook up some chicken soup for children to sip as they read.
Reading days are an excellent way to homeschool when the family is sick.
5. Time to Deal with Crisis
Sometimes you wake up to discover the sink has busted and water is spewing all over the floor. Instead of turning on the television to keep the kids out of your hair while you call the plumber, call it a reading day. The kids can curl up in the living room reading children’s books or listening to an audio book.
You’ll have the freedom you need to deal with today’s crisis.
Reading days give you a chance to focus on reading for a day. After all, there’s no better why to improve your children’s reading ability than for your children to read. Reading improves grammar, vocabulary, and spelling.
So give your kids a head start in life and enjoy the occasional reading day.
Have you ever enjoyed a reading day?
These are great ideas! I love reading, and love the idea of making it a big deal to my kids one day (they’re tiny right now) by completely overhauling their normal school work. It is just as vital as the other stuff we deem so important. Thanks for sharing!