Reading over the Holidays

As we approach the festive season, we want to emphasise the importance of practicing reading. In the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations, taking a moment to dive into the world of books can create lasting memories and foster a love for learning in your child.

The Gift of Imagination

Reading opens the door to a world of imagination, where children can explore new realms, meet fascinating characters, and embark on incredible adventures—all from the comfort of their favourite reading spot. Encouraging your child to read during the holidays not only enhances their imagination but also helps develop crucial cognitive skills.

Academic Continuity

The holiday break is an excellent opportunity for students to reinforce and build upon the skills they've acquired in school. Reading regularly over the holidays helps maintain and even enhance their literacy skills, ensuring a smooth transition back to the academic routine in the new year. We find that if students do not practice their reading in the holidays, they can start the year behind in reading compared to the end of the previous year. It is also essential for our upper primary students to continue reading practice over the holidays.

Quality Family Time

What better way to spend quality time with your child than by sharing a good book together? Whether it's a classic tale or a new release, reading as a family fosters bonds, sparks conversations, and creates memories.

Escape and Relaxation

The holiday season can sometimes be overwhelming for both children and adults. Reading provides a healthy escape, allowing your child to unwind and relax. It's a peaceful and enjoyable way for them to take a break from the hustle and bustle, promoting emotional well-being.

Building a Lifelong Habit

By incorporating reading into the holiday routine, you're not just providing a seasonal activity; you're instilling a habit that can last a lifetime. Cultivating a love for reading early on sets the stage for continuous learning and growth.

Tips for Fostering Holiday Reading

1. Create a Cozy Reading Nook: Set up a comfortable space with pillows and blankets where your child can escape into the world of books.

2. Holiday-Themed Reading: Find books with holiday themes to make the reading experience even more festive and relevant to the season.

3. Book Exchange: Consider organising a book exchange with other families to introduce new titles and encourage a sense of community.

4. Set Reading Goals: Encourage your child to set achievable reading goals for the holiday break, making it a fun and rewarding challenge.

Below is a benchmark of how many words your child should be able to read in a minute. You could do some speed reading over the holidays to support your child's reading fluency development. 

Kindergarten: Between 34 and 75 words per minute

Year One: Between 34 and 75 words per minute

Year Two: Between 84 to 128 words per minute

Year Three: Between 104 and 136 words per minute

Year Four: Between 130 and 158 words per minute

Year Five: Between 138 and 160 words per minute

Year Six: 150+ words per minute 

If you would like your child to have some books over the holidays, please contact your child's classroom teachers and we can organise for some age appropriate readers to be sent home.