Grandparents have a special relationship with their grandkids. Often times, they have the opportunity to play and have fun. But, they don’t necessarily have to put in the time day to day that parents do. Indeed, it can really be the best of all worlds.
That’s not to say that grandparents don’t help with a child’s upbringing or development at all though. In fact, they are in a prime position to swoop in and help out at key times. For example, in this article, we’re covering how grandparents can help kids improve their reading skills.
A Time For Action And A Time For Reading
There is a lot of truth in the statement that practice makes perfect. So, when you’re spending time with your grandkids, be sure to carve out some time for reading. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting all of your time together should be spent reading.
When your grandkids want to go play outside, you might push them on a swing or toss a ball back and forth. When they’re in the mood for art, break out an easel and do some painting. But, after they’ve burned off a little energy, it can be a good time to crack a book.
Bring Books With You When You’re Visiting
One way to help your grandkids improve their reading is to make it seem interesting and exciting. For younger kids, you can bring a few books with you every time you visit. Be sure to make a big deal of it when you take them out and show them what you’ve brought. Then invite them to do a little reading with you.
For older kids, you might bring the same book with you for each visit. That way, you can read a few chapters whenever you get together until you get to the end. Some of these visits might even leave off on a cliffhanger, meaning they will really look forward to the next chance to read together.
Take A Trip To The Library
Libraries and reading go hand and hand. Sometimes though, when parents are busy with the day to day chaos of life, it can be hard to make time for a trip to the library. That’s where grandparents can step in.
Take your grandchildren to the library for a few hours. Some libraries have all sorts of toys to play with and media to consume. So, they can really be a fun destination. After a little time playing, you can walk through the stacks of books with your grandkids to find the right one. When kids have a hand in picking out which books to read, their interest level tends to go way up.
Prepare To Be Amazed
If you’re spending some quality time reading together, you can take turns reading different words, sentences or pages. When your grandchild sounds out a tough word or makes it through a challenging passage, be sure to pay them a compliment. If they really surprise you with the progress they’re making, be sure to let them know it.
Kids might be used to receiving positive feedback from their parents. But, it’s always nice to get admiration from someone else too.
Final Thoughts
Helping your grandkids improve their reading ability makes it that much more likely they’ll develop an appreciation for the written word. If they enjoy reading, their life will probably be just a little bit richer. After all, a love of reading can be a lifelong romance.
