New Year, New Routines
Establishing new routines in the new year is an exciting opportunity for families with young children to cultivate habits that nurture growth and learning. One of the most impactful routines to include is dedicating at least 15 minutes a day to read aloud time. Read aloud time includes three components: you, your child and a book.
This simple, yet powerful activity not only fosters a love for books but also enhances language skills, strengthens bonds, and ignites imagination. Reading daily creates a special time for children to explore worlds beyond their own, learn new concepts, and engage with stories that mirror their experiences or introduce them to new ones.
Fifteen minutes of read-aloud time daily from birth to 5 years equals 456.25 hours of reading together. This sets children up to be successful readers when it is developmentally appropriate. During the chilly winter months, reading can be a cozy and delightful experience even when the weather outside is frightful.
Here are nine fun ways to enjoy reading in cold weather:
1) Create a blanket fort in the living room and read by flashlight.
2) Set up a cozy corner with pillows and a warm blanket next to a window to watch the snow fall while reading.
3) Have a themed reading day where everyone dresses in their warmest pajamas and reads winter-themed books. 4) Organize a family story time where each member picks a book to read aloud.
5) Host a winter book picnic indoors with hot cocoa and favorite snacks.
6) Find a recipe, read it together and then make the delicious snack or meal. Cooking and baking add numeracy to the reading experience.
7) Use puppets or stuffed animals to act out scenes from the stories.
8) Share a virtual reading session with grandparents or friends via video call. 9) Take vinyl books outside and read in the snow. These books can get wet and would be fun to read in a snow fort.
