Kristyn Hammond
A freelance writer from Texas, Kristyn Hammond began writing for Helium in 2007, where her focus is primarily blogging and technology. She received her B.A. in English from Tarleton State University in 2009, is a graduate of the Long Ridge Writers Group’s professional workshop, and is currently pursuing her M.A.
Family reading night is a special tradition that includes your whole family.
Family reading night provides a unique opportunity to bring your family together and establish a foundation for family conversation. Through the years you can use reading nights to help your children through school or just to keep the lines of communication open. It is never too early to begin this tradition with your family.
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Read to Infants
- While infants are unable to read, or even understand what you are saying, they are still responsive to the sound of your voice and appreciate the warm contact of a loving parent who is reading to them. Additionally, the practice of reading to your child regularly helps you get into the habit of doing so and establishes a regular schedule. It also allows you time to practice your reading voice. Keep your tone soft and avoid sounding abrasive. Your child will respond and eventually will learn to expect the special time with her parents that a reading night provides.
Include School Topics
- A reading night activity can often spur on interesting conversations between you and your school-age child about the things he is studying at school, keeping you informed about his education and keeping him actively engaged in his school work. Ask his teacher for some of the topics that she is teaching, then find books that will further your child’s education and coincide with his school lessons. If you are having trouble finding the right books, ask the teacher again for suggestions about reading material ideas for outside of class. The teacher will appreciate your interest in what your child is learning.
Take Turns Reading
- Your whole family can get involved with reading night if you take turns reading aloud. Have each person read a chapter of the book and then pass it to the next person. Engage your children by asking them questions about what has been read, especially the motivations and themes of the characters that you are reading about. You are a valuable resource to your children, able to provide background information on important themes while making sure that they understand the literature you are sharing.
Quiet Reading Time
- A quiet family reading night can be an event that your whole family looks forward to. Prepare enough snacks for the evening, including popcorn, coffee, fruit juice, hot chocolate, or the favorites that your family prefers. Do not be afraid to splurge a little and give them a few things that they may not normally be allowed to eat. Also, make sure that everyone has a book that they want to read. If not, take your children to your local library before your reading night and let them pick out something new to read.
