Curriculum News

The Importance of Daily Reading in the Holidays

As Term 1 comes to an end and the hustle and bustle of holiday plans fill the air, it is easy to let reading slip to the back burner. However, for students in Kindergarten to Year 6, maintaining a daily reading routine during the holiday break is more important than ever.

Here are 8 reasons why your child should engage in daily reading in the holiday;

Holidays are a break in academic learning, by reading daily, children's literacy skills stay sharp and they return to school ready to tackle new lessons with confidence.
Reading everyday exposes children to a broader range of vocabulary. Whether they’re reading picture books, chapter books, or non-fiction, they encounter new words and phrases that enhance their understanding of language. This exposure is essential for building strong reading comprehension skills, which are foundational for all academic subjects.
Books take children on journeys to different worlds, letting them explore new ideas, characters, and experiences. Reading fosters creativity and helps children expand their imaginations, leading to better problem-solving skills and a more developed sense of empathy.
In a world filled with distractions, reading requires children to focus and concentrate on a single activity. By reading regularly, children practice maintaining attention for longer periods, which is a crucial skill in school and life.
Reading together during the holidays isn’t just about academic benefits—it also strengthens the bond between parent and child. Whether reading aloud to your child or listening to them read, it creates an opportunity for connection. Discussing the stories, characters, and themes also sparks meaningful conversations.
When children read everyday, they develop a love for books and learning. The holidays provide a wonderful opportunity for parents to model positive reading habits, showing children that reading is not just an academic task, but an enjoyable, lifelong activity.
Regular reading helps build foundational cognitive skills such as memory, sequencing, and logical thinking. These skills are vital not only in school but also in daily decision-making and problem-solving.
When children make progress in reading, whether they finish a challenging book or improve their reading fluency, it builds their self-confidence. Holiday reading provides opportunities for children to set small goals, such as reading a specific number of pages or completing a new chapter book.

Tips for Encouraging Holiday Reading:

Make it Fun: Choose books related to the holiday season, like stories about snow, family traditions, or winter adventures. The excitement of the season can make reading even more engaging.
Set a Daily Goal: Encourage your child to read for 15-30 minutes each day. Set up a family reading time or challenge your child to read a certain number of pages or books over the holidays.
Create a Cozy Reading Space: Make a special corner in the house filled with pillows and blankets where your child can read comfortably. Create a quiet, inviting environment to inspire reading.
Explore Different Formats: If your child enjoys technology, try audiobooks, eBooks, or reading apps that can bring stories to life in new ways.
Visit the Library: Make a trip to the local library a holiday tradition. Many libraries offer seasonal activities, storytimes, and reading challenges that can motivate children to read.
Be a Reading Role Model: Let your child see you reading during the break, whether it’s a book, magazine, or newspaper. Children are more likely to value reading if they see it as an enjoyable, regular part of life.

This holiday break offers a unique opportunity to foster a love of reading in your child. By encouraging them to read daily, parents can help their children continue developing essential skills, stay engaged in their learning, and enjoy the many benefits that books provide. Make reading a special part of your holiday routine, and you’ll see the positive impact it has on your child’s academic and personal growth.

Have a safe and happy holiday break. I look forward to working with your children in

Term 2.

Working together for our students,

Leanna Langlands

Instructional Specialist