Virginia Williams, Possip reporter with a background in Elementary Education & Special Education, compiled a few ways that your family can maximize on literacy. 

Happy National Family Literacy Day! Right now, many families across the country are buzzing with excitement over Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah or Christmas. But there’s another holiday on the horizon not to be overlooked! National Family Literacy Day is on November 1st, and this holiday is the perfect reason to reignite a love of reading within your home. 

Here are some ways to help make literacy a priority for your family:

1) Designate a reading time and space for your family.

With the presence of mobile devices and so many opportunities for ‘screen time’, it is more important than ever to create an intentional plan for reading. Create a fun, cozy space in your home where your children can read independently or together. Try to minimize distractions in this space, and consider including calm lighting or comfy pillows! You don’t need a new room – it could be a corner with a blanket. Just a space. Perhaps this ‘reading time’ occurs right before dinner or bedtime. Try your best to do it at the same time every day!  

2) Allow for choice.

Kids are often asked to read specific texts or passages for school. Make sure there are also plenty of opportunities for them to read whatever they want (within reason)! Consider providing your children with a variety of kid-friendly magazines, fiction texts, comic books, nonfiction texts or picture books. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a wonderful book-gifting program that sends a free book every month to participating children until they are five years old! Reach out to your school’s media specialist if you need support with registration. Another way to create the opportunity for choice is to ask your child: “Do you want to read to me, or would you like me to read to you?  Would you like to take turns reading the pages?” Occasionally, children deserve to simply sit back, relax and enjoy being read to, without being asked to perform in any way academically.      

3) Do it together!

Use this time as a way to bond as a family and connect with your children. Laugh and learn together as you discuss characters, topics and lessons from texts! That email can wait and those dishes in the sink can be dealt with later…take a moment to sit down and enjoy reading with your children! You may be surprised by what you learn about your kids during this special time.

What are some of your favorite tips for getting your family reading? Share with us on social media!

Check these Possip resources for inclusive book ideas! 👇🏻

• Books for summer reading! 
• Books to celebrate AAPI heritage!
• Books to celebrate LGBTQ+!