In the Northern Hemisphere it is getting colder and darker. In the UK, this is known as a long school term where children get very tired…Christmas reading and writing can seem like a bit of an unnecessary challenge or at least hard work. Here are some ideas for inspiring reading and writing around the festive season…
Christmas library
This takes a little bit of work but creating your own library of Christmas books can be really worthwhile. Try school fairs, charity shops, community libraries, friends as well as online market places and car boot sales to gather cheap or free Christmas books. Try to think what your child would really like, rather than just any old Christmas book you can find.
Then present the books creatively with a flourish! Perhaps on a decorated shelf at home, or a ‘book nook’ or in a painted box? Or you could wrap them up for Advent, post them through the door or stick a note on them to say why you chose them. You could even give them a clue so they have to find their new book(s). Presentation is key with children!
Not every book will be a winner, but a Christmas library can act as a real impetus to keep reading. Remember, joke books, recipe books and magazines all count too!
Games
Hangman, scrabble, Boggle, Bananagrams – all help with spelling, letter patterns and vocabulary. You can ‘direct’ these games for your child by focusing on a spelling list or group of specific words (eg verbs or Christmas words); or by giving bonus points for unusual vocabulary or longer words. You can also use team play to boost confidence, give ideas or to increase the competition!
Remember too that many games can have a language component even if they are not ‘word games’. If a game needs explaining to visitors at Christmas, try to get your child to explain it. Summarising and coherently explaining a complex game can be difficult and the more practice they have at doing this verbally, the easier complex explanations will become on paper.
Christmas tasks
I am sure that I’m not the only adult who is awash with lists at Christmas! It may be an opportunity too for your children to help with lists – whether writing your lists as you dictate them (whilst you have your hands full) or their own lists. Perhaps they could write a ‘thank you’ list (and the accompanying thank you letters); or your shopping list; or a ‘boredom’ list for that long spell before Christmas Day arrives.
Need to write a text to a neighbour? Perhaps your child can write a note to put through their door instead? Inviting friends round for drinks? Can they write an invite for you? If you write Christmas cards to family, encourage your child to put a couple of lines in the left hand side of the card explaining what they’ve been doing, alongside signing their name. You can explain that relatives massively appreciate the effort.
Here is an example of a product that I use in one of my bespoke packages which you can use or which may give you inspiration.
Remember that little and often is fine with holiday writing. Children don’t need to spend the Christmas holidays writing essays. You’re trying to ensure that they keep their writing ticking over during the school break. Often it is best to do this by integrating it with whatever you are doing so that there is a purpose to it.
Enjoying Christmas writing
For those who need less persuasion to write, Christmas stories, comics or poems offer a wealth of opportunity. You may only need to provide some coloured paper, a snowflake border or a gold pen to get them excited to write…
Christmas journals
Writing a diary is great for a child who likes routine and can be encouraged to have a go each day, usually at a linked time (eg bedtime). However, for those who are a bit more reluctant, diary writing can seem a bit boring or overwhelming.
So why not try a gratitude lucky dip? Get some lolly sticks or pieces of paper and put them in a jar or box. Each one has a question relating to the day. For example,
- what was the best thing you ate today?
- What made you laugh or smile today?
- What was the best part about today?
- What was the best thing you watched or saw today?
You then write the answers to the questions on individual slips of paper and put in a a box to be read out on Christmas Eve. Or an adult reads out the ‘answers’ and the rest of the family has to guess who wrote it. Or you can use post-its and make your own Christmas gratitude poster. As with everything, novelty is key. So a new pen or special type of paper can be the decision between participating and walking away…
Word puzzles
Don’t forget wordsearches, crossword and word puzzle books which can easily be slipped in as an Advent treat or present. “Mad Libs” is also a less usual choice in the UK but good fun and they do a Christmas version too. If your child is reluctant, why not do the puzzles together or in parallel?
Listening
Listening to a story read by someone else or listening digitally can offer a relaxing way of firing the imagination and expanding language knowledge. Perhaps encourage a mix of screens and audio? (My blog on listening for literacy will provide further food for thought).
There is a wealth of wonderful Christmas reading material – a browse through a good bookstore offers great inspiration. But if you haven’t read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, then choose an appropriately abridged version with wonderful illustrations, and read it aloud at dinner (or breakfast!). Personally I think many under 9s would still enjoy a wonderfully illustrated version of The Polar Express which has beautiful language. For older children an abridged, well-illustrated version of A Christmas Carol or The Nutcracker might be a great shared classic.
For older children, remember that if you no longer read aloud to them, they may see story time as babyish (or they may love the re-introdution of it!). So consider introducing reading aloud a Christmas story as a Christmas activity which you would like to do. For some they may prefer that it is read in a sitting room or the kitchen, rather than in bed.
Christmas reading pack
If you would like help getting together a Christmas reading pack, I provide the following for £20 plus postage (free local Surrey delivery may also be possible):
- 4 Christmas reading books (these may be good quality second hand books as for environmental reasons I promote re-use)
- a 20 minute read-aloud zoom call based on these books which includes discussion of what we are reading
Once you have contacted me, you will receive payment details via email. On receipt of payment, your pack will be sent within 5 working days.
Zoom calls by mutual arrangement. A minimum of 3 separate times/days will be offered. In the unlikely event no suitable time can be arranged, you will be offered a 20 minute reading tutoring session by zoom in January.