Christmas Reading for Kids

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Education Wrapped in Holiday Fun

You can get a head start on next year's holiday reading fun! Keep visiting as I add more info and book suggestions throughout the year. You'll find great gift ideas and if you're a teacher, you can get a jump on next year's planning. You might even consider 'celebrating' Christmas in July or April or September-it's a great motivator!

It's a proven fact that everyone learns best when they are excited about the subject matter.  What could be more exciting than Christmas?  You can take that excitement and motivation and channel it into learning with children of all ages.  Visit often as I add new ideas and information to help your holidays burst with reading.

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UPDATE: The Christmas Learning Ebook is *still* available, but you'll need to request it specially after signing up for the newsletter. The current freebie for newsletter sign up is "80 Free Journal Jar Ideas". Won't you join us?

Whatever You Do

Check out my article on family Christmas traditions:
More Than Just Desserts.
Discover the importance of family togetherness this Holiday Season.

(Christmas is December 25, 2009)

Holiday Reading Magic for Beginners 

Launch your new reader on a holiday adventure!

Beginning readers are always proud to show off their skills. Let your little one shine like a Christmas candle with this great game.

If you wish, teach your emergent reader to recognize some special Christmas words, like Christmas, happy, holiday, Jesus, Bethlehem, and so forth. Choose your words carefully if this is a difficult task; pick words of dramatically different sizes, shapes and beginning letters for maximum success.

Now, start searching for words your child knows how to recognize. Look in cards, newspapers, and on decorations. Check marquees when you are out and about. Watch signs and printed Christmas carols. Celebrate together each time you find a word your child can read. Keep a list and watch it grow for the next few weeks. Your child will be pleased and amazed at the number of words he or she already knows how to read, and big ones, too! Nothing boosts self-confidence quite like this simple activity.

An Opportunity for Parents of Young Children

Check out the FREE Nurturing Your Young Reader Workshop over at All Info About Reading. Get loads of tips to help your young child become a reader.

The Magic of Christmas Music 

Many people underestimate the power of music in reading. Beginning readers often feel encouraged and learn a lot from reading the words to familiar songs, and, since most people know Christmas songs, this is a great chance to take advantage of this phenomenon.

Find copies of the words to Christmas music that have the words broken into syllables for singing. Many older hymnals are written this way, or you could type your own. By presenting the words in broken up form, you will help beginning readers to see patterns in syllabication and vowel sounds. They will begin to learn about how to attack larger, unfamiliar words.

Songs don't have to be sung, either. Try reading them as a group, or dividing the lines to turn them into choral readings. A few that tell stories can even be presented as plays or puppet shows! Have fun!

"Christmas reading-what great motivation for kids!"

Great Christmas Reading from Amazon 

Check out these seasonal books and gift ideas

The Lost Symbol

The Lost Symbol

by: Dan Brown

Amazon Price: $12.00 (as of 12/22/2009) Buy Now

The Help

The Help

by: Kathryn Stockett

Amazon Price: $9.50 (as of 12/22/2009) Buy Now

Under the Dome: A Novel

Under the Dome: A Novel

by: Stephen King

Amazon Price: $14.00 (as of 12/22/2009) Buy Now

The Twilight Saga Collection

The Twilight Saga Collection

by: Stephenie Meyer

Amazon Price: $44.99 (as of 12/22/2009) Buy Now

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

by: Jeff Kinney

Amazon Price: $5.25 (as of 12/22/2009) Buy Now

More Christmas Fun 

When the kids are bored right after Christmas....

Try making a Christmas book together! Here are a few ideas:

--> Use a digital camera to illustrate a family Christmas album or newspaper. Write captions or whole stories to go with each picture.

--> Make a Christmas ABC book. Put in one page for each letter of the alphabet and illustrate something related to Christmas (however loosely!) that begins with each sound.

--> Revive the old-fashioned notion of writing thank you notes for gifts received.

Cook Up Some Holiday Reading Fun 

What could be more motivating???

Most kids LOVE to be in the kitchen, whipping up holiday treats. Movitate some Christmas reading by inviting your child to help make candies, cookies, breads, or other holiday snacks that require reading directions or recipes. If your child struggles or is a brand new reader, simply reading the directions on the back of a box mix will be great practice. There are also cookbooks designed for younger children at your library. These easy-readers are great for beginners, too.

If your child is older or a more able reader, head off to the bookstore, library or internet and find some great new recipes to try. Who knows? Maybe you'll come up with a new family favorite!

Christmas Jokes and Riddles 

A Touch of Humor for Your Beginning Reader

Jokes and riddles can be some of the most motivating things to read, and most are very easy to decode. Tickle your reader's funnybone with these doozies!
Christmas jokes for kids
These one-liners are classics for the season, but they will be fresh for your young children. Check them out!
More Christmas Jokes
And here are still more groaners that will appeal to your young child.

Try Some Christmas Bingo 

Here's a great way to practice reading Christmas words

Make yourself a blank Bingo grid and duplicate a few copies. Fill the squares with words (or words and pictures for younger kids) related to Christmas, like wreath, candle, tree, star, and so forth. Play just like regular Bingo, except if you wish, you can have players color the squares as the words are called.

Children feel an immense sense of accomplishment when they learn to recognize words that are important in their lives. Even young kids can learn to see the differences between words like tree and Santa. While the little ones may not actually be reading yet, they ARE practicing important discrimination skills that will help them be better readers in the long run.

You Also Might Enjoy

"The Christmas Mystery."

More Christmas Reading Fun 

Check out these ideas....

Visit Christmas Reading Fun for more great reading ideas to try with your kids.

Here are some online Christmas stories available for free: Christmas Stories.

Looking for a seasonal reading comprehension lesson? Check this out: The Night Before Christmas Comprehension activity.

Here are Christmas reading suggestions for children of all ages: Suggested Christmas Reading.

Christmas In Other Lands 

Motivational reading activities for older students

Christmas traditions can be fascinating! Coax your older students into reading by sending them on a quest to uncover new ways to celebrate. Visit the local library or bookstore to check out some of the titles listed below and find out the origins of favorite Christmas traditions, new Christmas treats, and more!

Multicultural Christmas Traditions 

Read all about it!

Aurora of the Northern Lights

Aurora of the Northern Lights

by: Holly Hardin

Amazon Price: $17.05 (as of 12/22/2009) Buy Now

A Multicultural Christmas: A Novel About Broadening One's Horizons

A Multicultural Christmas: A Novel About Broadening One's Horizons

by: Steven H Propp

Amazon Price: $16.95 (as of 12/22/2009) Buy Now

Christmas in Ireland (Christmas Around the World) (Christmas Around the World from World Book)

Christmas in Ireland (Christmas Around the World) (Christmas Around the World from World Book)

Amazon Price: (as of 12/22/2009) Buy Now

Hoiday Wishes (and Other Thoughts) 

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by tutor1235

Sandy is an experienced tutor and special education teacher. Visit the site at All Info About Reading! (more)

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