Journey Through Books: A Growth Ruler Reading Challenge

Kids who read just 20 minutes per day, are exposed to 1.8 million (MILLION) words per year.

Want to motivate your little bookworm to read even more? Look no further than our Growth Ruler Reading Challenge!

In this challenge, your child will not only enjoy reading their favorite books but also get to measure their progress as they grow taller and taller on their very own growth ruler.

This unique and interactive challenge is a great way to make reading even more fun and engaging, while also encouraging your child to stay committed to their reading goals.

In this blog post, we'll go over the details of the challenge, provide tips for setting reading goals, and share some fun ways to make reading an enjoyable activity for kids of all ages.

So, let's dive in and see how the Growth Ruler Reading Challenge can take your child's love for reading to new heights!

Childhood Benefits of Reading

It’s true that the ability to read opens doors, and it’s no surprise that learning to read has a plethora of benefits. Here’s why this should be a challenge in your home:

1. Improved cognitive function: Reading can improve vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills, which kids then take on to school and later in life.
2. Increased empathy and social skills: Reading can help kids develop empathy and social skills by exposing them to diverse characters, cultures, and perspectives.
3. Enhanced creativity: Reading can stimulate the imagination and provides inspiration for new ideas.
4. Improved sleep: Reading before bed can promote relaxation and better sleep by reducing stress and calming the mind.
5. Increased knowledge and understanding: Reading can increase our understanding of the world around us, including history, science, and other cultures.

Tips for Reading Goals

Here are some tips to keep in mind when setting reading goals for your child:

1. Start with a realistic goal: Choose a goal that is achievable for your child based on their age and reading level. Setting a goal that is too difficult can be discouraging and may cause your child to lose interest in reading.
2. Make it fun: Encourage your child to choose books they are interested in reading. If your child is excited about the book, they are more likely to want to read it.
3. Track progress: Use a growth chart ruler to track your child's progress. Seeing progress over time can be motivating and rewarding for your child.
4. Set a regular reading time: Establish a regular reading time each day or week. This will help your child get into the habit of reading and make it a regular part of their routine.
5. Mix it up: Encourage your child to read a variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. This will help them develop a love for reading and broaden their horizons.

Remember that every child is different, and what works for one child may not work for another. The most important thing is to make reading a positive and enjoyable experience for your child. By setting realistic goals, making it fun, and tracking progress, you can help your child develop a lifelong love for reading.

For a list of our favorite books for Kindergarteners, click here.

Choose a Reading Goal

Here are a few examples of reading goals you could set with your child:

1. Read for at least 20 minutes every day. Set aside a specific time for reading each day, such as before bed or after school.
2. Read at least 5 books each month. This can include a mix of fiction and non-fiction books.
3. Read aloud to someone else at least once a week. This could be a younger sibling, a grandparent, or a friend.
4. Try reading a book in a new genre each month. For example, if your child typically reads fantasy books, encourage them to try a mystery or a biography.
5. Keep a reading log to track progress. Encourage your child to write down the titles of books they have read and how many pages or chapters they have completed.

Remember that these are just a few examples of reading goals for kids, and you can adjust them based on your child's age, reading level, and interests. The important thing is to encourage your child to read regularly and to make it a positive and enjoyable experience.

Start the Growth Ruler Reading Challenge

Tracking reading goals using a growth chart is a great way to motivate kids to read more. 

Here's how parents can use a growth chart to track reading goals:

Set a Goal

Parents can set a reading goal for their child, such as reading for 30 minutes a day or finishing a certain number of books in a month. Every inch on the growth ruler represents one day when a time goal is met, or one book is read.

Track Progress on Your Growth Ruler

Create a section on the growth ruler dedicated to tracking your child’s reading progress. Place a flag, sticker or marker at their ultimate goal. For example, this could be at 30 inches, to indicate you want them to read 30 books this month. For every book your child reads, they can add a sticker or mark at another inch. They’ll love watching the stickers inch upward toward their goal.

Or you could place your final goal at something like 15 inches, if you want them to read for 30 minutes per day, for 15 days. Each day they hit their time goal, they add another sticker to their growth chart.

Celebrate Achievements:

Celebrate your child's reading achievements along the way. Consider offering small rewards or incentives for reaching milestones, such as a new book, a bookmark with something they love, a trip to the library, or a fun outing.

1. Create a reading certificate: Design a certificate to honor your child's reading achievement. You can include the number of books read, the amount of time spent reading, or other milestones.
2. Give a reward: Based on their goal, reward your child at certain milestones or when they reach their top goal. This could be with a new book, a bookmark, or a special treat.
3. Take a reading field trip: Plan a special outing to a bookstore, library, or literary museum to celebrate your child's reading achievement.
4. Make a reading display: Create a display to showcase your child's progress. You can create a reading chart, a poster, or a display board with their favorite books, authors, or characters.

Make it Fun: 

Encourage your child to decorate their growth ruler with stickers or drawings related to the books they've read, or involve them in selecting books to read.

Here are some fun ways to make reading a fun and enjoyable activity for kids of all ages:

1. Create a reading nook: Designate a cozy and comfortable space in your home where your child can read. Add some pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals to make it inviting.
2. Make it a game: Turn reading into a game by setting up a scavenger hunt or a treasure hunt that requires your child to read clues to find the hidden object.
3. Have a reading party: Plan a reading party with your child's friends or family members. Invite everyone to bring their favorite book and have snacks and drinks.
4. Read aloud together: Take turns reading aloud with your child. This can help improve their reading skills and make it a fun and engaging activity for both of you.
5. Use technology: Use apps, audiobooks, and e-books to make reading a more interactive experience for your child. Gotta keep up with the times!
6. Incorporate reading into other activities: Encourage your child to read while doing other activities like cooking, exercising, or traveling.

By incorporating these fun and creative ideas into your child's reading routine, you can help them develop a love for reading that will last a lifetime.

In conclusion, reading is an essential skill that every child should develop, and setting reading goals can help them improve. And by using a growth chart to track reading goals, you can make the learning process a fun part of growing up. 

So let's encourage our kids to read and give them the tools they need to succeed!