ESPChildren are more likely to develop a lifelong love of reading when they associate books with positive family experiences. Reading together also helps strengthen vocabulary, improve comprehension and create meaningful conversations that continue long after the last page is turned. Reading becomes even more exciting when every book leads to a new surprise.
What You'll Need
A clean mason jar or recycled glass jar
Construction paper or colorful cardstock
Markers or colored pencils
Scissors
Ribbon, stickers or washi tape
Small craft sticks or strips of paper
Instructions
Step 1: Decorate the Jar
Let your child personalize the jar with stickers, drawings, favorite book characters or their name. Make it something they'll be excited to display in their room.
Step 2: Create Reading Rewards
On craft sticks or folded strips of paper, write simple, screen-free rewards such as:
Pick tonight's bedtime story.
Stay up 15 extra minutes to read.
Have a picnic while reading outside.
Visit the library this weekend.
Read with a flashlight.
Choose a family game after reading.
Pick the next family read-aloud book.
Read to a stuffed animal.
Make a bookmark together.
Hot chocolate and story time.
Place all the rewards in the jar.
Step 3: Start Reading
Each time your child finishes a book—or reaches a reading goal, such as 20 minutes of reading—they get to pull one reward from the jar.
