How do you and your family commemorate the beginning of a new year? Many of us find that January is a good time to change certain behaviors that have, well, gotten a little out of hand…. One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to lose unwanted weight and/or eat a healthier diet. While we certainly hope that you are doing all you can to be healthy physically, we also would like to encourage you to be intellectually healthy! One way to ensure you and your kiddos are getting the intellectual stimulation you need is by resolving to read more. Red Apple Reading offers five suggestions to help you and your loved ones become a stronger reading family in 2014:
- Get out those gift cards! Chances are you received a gift card or two over the holidays. Many retailers have a department in their store dedicated to books. Instead of using your card to buy a new toy or item of clothing, purchase some good reading material.
- Become a library patron. Start making trips to your local public library. Not only is there a plethora of free reading material, there are probably other cool programs (children’s reading hour, movies, guest speakers, etc.) available for your family.
- Pick up that forgotten book. Remember that book you bought several months ago that was all the rage? Maybe you always intended to get around to reading it, but somehow never did. Now is a great time to unearth all those books you or your children haven’t yet read and crack them open!
- Download a digital book. Did you receive a cool new portable device over the holidays? Why not download a new title? If you are an Amazon Prime member, you have access to the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, where you can borrow books for free. Do a little research and find out what reading apps are available for your device and let the downloading begin!
- Institute a reading hour. So maybe you are willing to give reading a shot in 2014, but your children are less than excited at the prospect. Sometimes reluctant readers just need a gentle nudge. My oldest son wasn’t much of a reader until he was required to read 20 minutes each night for school. Guess what? He found out he really enjoyed reading! Set aside half an hour to 1 hour each night that is strictly for reading. Your kiddos might just discover they really are book worms!
We hope your 2014 is filled with much happiness and many, many good books. You will never regret becoming an avid reader. Red Apple Reading wishes you and your family a very happy New Year!
