Editor's note: This post was originally published on December 9, 2013.
The holidays are almost upon us, which often means that reading and writing are pushed to the back burner in exchange for parties, festivities, travel, and toys. But that doesn't always have to be the case.
With a little creative thinking and some preparation, reading and writing can actually be the gifts you give to loved ones!
How can you encourage your kids to do some reading and writing for others during the holiday season?
- Recorded reading: Young cousins would love this gift just as much as a grandparent or aunt. Make a video recording of your child reading his or her favorite books, then put it on a zip drive, wrap it up, and send it away! Including siblings in the mix makes for an even better gift!
- Memoir writing: Memoirs are short, autobiographical pieces—reflective writing from a set amount of time in a person's life. Have your child write a memoir about an event that includes a family member. Offering this heartfelt piece as a gift will be meaningful whether it is typed or hand written.
- Comic strips: A super gift from one young cousin or sibling to another is a comic strip. Encourage your child to write about something funny that happened and include the family member as a character.
- Reading dates: A "Reading Date" gift is a smart and clever way of keeping families in touch and sneaking in some reading along the way. The child can simply make "Reading Date" coupons for a loved one and hand them over. The "Reading Date" can occur at any time, in person or over the phone, and thanks to the wonders of technology, it can even be done over the computer!
How do you incorporate reading and writing into gift-giving? We'd love to hear about it! Share your thoughts on the Scholastic Parents Facebook page, or find Amy on twitter, @teachmama, and let's continue the conversation!
