Creating a Cozy Evening Reading Routine for the Family
In today’s fast-paced world, it can be challenging to carve out time for family bonding. However, in the midst of all the chaos, there’s an activity that can unite your family in the evenings – story reading. Indeed, this practice was quite popular well before the advent of digitalization monopolized our schedules.
But if you love reading and still wish to read to your kids every night in an enjoyable way, here’s how to make it an exciting routine that your family will look forward to.
1. Choose a Comfortable Reading Nook
This could be a corner of the living room or even a blanket fort in the kids’ play area. Fill this space with soft cushions, warm blankets, and perhaps a shelf of books to make it super cozy. For families who prefer digital reading, laptops or tablets can be a convenient addition to this space. While soft copies provide access to a vast library of e-books, you won’t have to overstuff your space with hard copies.
2. Create a Reading Ritual
To make your reading routine feel special, make it like a ritual. There should be things that mark it; it could be lighting a scented candle, brewing a pot of tea, or simply dimming the lights. Speaking of lights, if you’re using a Mac to read at night when the living space is dark, the backlight may be a distraction and eyesore. Find out how to turn off backlit keyboard mac if yours doesn’t turn off by itself. These small gestures signal that it’s time to unwind and focus on the stories about to unfold.
3. Set a Consistent Time
Consistency is key to forming any routine. Choose a time that works for your family’s schedule; it could be daily, weekly, or however feels comfortable to everyone. It could also be just before bedtime, after dinner, or during a quiet afternoon. The predictability helps build anticipation and excitement for your kids.
4. Involve Everyone in Book Selection
To spice things up a notch, allow your kids and spouse to join in the book selection. Of course, not everyone will agree on a book, so there can be votes. While the book will the most votes gets read today, the other may be read tomorrow or next week and so on. This ensures everyone’s interests are considered while making them all active participants in the reading routine.
5. Read Aloud Together
Reading aloud as a family is a beautiful way to bond and share stories. Take turns reading pages, chapters, or weekly, allowing each family member to participate. It can also help younger children improve their reading skills.
6. Encourage Discussion
After reading a portion of the book, pause for a moment. Ask questions like, “What do you think will happen next?” or “How would you feel if you were the main character?” These conversations make the experience more fun and engrossing, trust me! Plus, they help you bond with your kids!
Wrapping Up—Keep It Flexible
While consistency is important, realize that our schedules are not set in stone, so keep your reading routine flexible. Some evenings, the family might be engrossed in a novel and want to read for an extended period, while other times, a shorter story or no reading at all will be preferred. Don’t forget to adapt your routine to fit the mood and vibes of your family members, and ensure you carry everyone along.
