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Holiday Reading Ideas for Parents
WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2003- While the
holidays can be stressful and frantic for many moms and dads,
spending time reading together is a great reason to turn off
the television, cuddle up, and relax, according to Reading Is
Fundamental (RIF), the nation's oldest and largest children's
and family literacy organization.
"If you don't already spend 10 to 15 minutes a day reading
with your children, the holidays are the perfect time to
start," said RIF president and CEO Carol Rasco. "I
can't think of a better way to show you care than to give the
gift of reading."
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To make reading a part of your
holiday traditions, try some of these fun literacy
activities.
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Encourage your child to create bookmarks to enclose
in a gift book or to mark the place in your own book
where you leave off during read-aloud time.
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Ask your
child to help with holiday shopping. Have him or her
write out the list and then read the items aloud as
you peruse the aisles together.
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Give
your child a companion book to traditional holiday
gifts, such as a book on juggling and several
brightly colored balls; a book about fossils and a
bag of plaster of Paris; or a book about stamp
collecting and a stamp album.
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When
it's time for holiday baking, ask your child to read
the directions aloud to you. While the cookies are
in the oven, read a short book together.
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Suggest
that your child's teacher turn the classroom holiday
gift exchange into a book exchange.
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Help
your child make his or her own holiday gifts for
family and friends by following the directions in a
how-to-book.
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Ask your
child to help you write out gift nametags. Use extra
large gift tags for tiny hands!
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Encourage your child to volunteer to read to
residents in a local retirement home or hospital.
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Give a
bookstore gift certificate as a holiday present so
your child can select a new book on his or her own.
Read the book together.
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Visit
the library and pick out some holiday favorites for
festive family reading all season long. For book
suggestions and other great holiday activities,
check out
www.rif.org.
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Source: Reading Is Fundamental, Inc.
Reading Is Fundamental,
Inc., prepares and motivates children to read by delivering
free books and literacy resources to those families who need
them most. Operating through 435,000 volunteers at 23,000
sites nationwide, RIF annually serves 5 million children of
all ages, most of whom are at risk of educational failure,
with a focus on those from birth to age 11. Supported by the
U.S. Department of Education, corporations, foundations,
community organizations, and individuals, RIF has provided
more than 250 million books for children to choose and keep.
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