‘National Read a Book Day’ aims to last all year
Celebrated annually on the 6th September, National Read a Book Day is an annual awareness day that aims to encourage all of us to take a break and get reading, either curled up on the sofa or with family and friends.
Whether you’re rediscovering old favourites or delving into new bestsellers, the point of National Read a Book Day is to spend at least a few minutes of the day reading, and not aiming to finish a book from cover to cover in just one day! So whether you’re an avid bookworm, an occasional holiday reader or haven’t picked up a book in months, there are plenty of ways to get involved and rekindle your love of reading.
Read to young people
By reading to young people we can get them interested in reading, and one of the best ways to do that is to read with them, no matter whether they are a baby, a toddler or a teen. You could start a new bedtime routine which includes a chapter of their favourite book each night, or swap half an hour of television for half an hour of guided reading.
If you know some reluctant readers, introduce them to new types of texts such as comic books, e-books, and audiobooks. Research has shown that even 10 minutes a day of reading and sharing stories with children can have a hugely positive impact on their development, both now and in the future!
Visit the Library
When was the last time you paid a visit to your local library? If it’s been a while, take advantage of this fantastic free resource. Not only do libraries have a great selection of books, they also have wonderful librarians who can help you pick new ones based on your preferences, or point you in the direction of a whole new genre!
Discover other ways of reading
If you’d like to start reading regularly but can never seem to find the time, try investigating other ways of fitting reading into your day. Try downloading and listening to an audiobook on your daily commute, or if getting to bookshops is the problem, invest in an electronic reader and download books straight to your device!
What are the benefits of reading
As far as hobbies go, reading is perhaps the most beneficial of them all! Countless studies have highlighted the benefits of reading, which include:
- Improving vocabulary and writing skills.
- Increasing memory.
- Developing analytical thinking.
- Helping with focus and concentration.
- Increasing your knowledge.
Reading is also hugely beneficial to your wellbeing, reducing stress, aiding relaxation, helping you to sleep and even preventing cognitive decline.
So why not take some time to sit down with a good book and see what reading can do for you?
Related Resources
We’ve got a whole host of resources to help inspire your kids to pick up a book – check them out below!
- Twinkl Originals e-books
- Classroom Reading Display
- KS1 & 2 Reading Comprehension Activities
- Animals Including Humans: Awesome Offspring to Healthy Adults e-Book
National Read a Book Day have put together a helpful short video that explains how’s best to use their e-books to engage children with reading.
Image: https://stocksnap.io/photo/books-library-GTWPBBTRRN
