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Recently, I was asked what my favorite winter story is for children.
This got me thinking about some really great ones I have read over the years, but I had to answer with my most favorite winter story, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.
This is a story about a boy who wakes up to find that it has snowed overnight and that snow has covered everything (Every child's wish, right?). After having breakfast the little boy bundles up and heads out to spend a day in the snow.
The snow makes crunching noises beneath his feet and he can see his footprints of where he has walked. He builds a snowman, makes a snow angel, slides down a hill of snow and before he heads back home makes a nice snowball to keep in his pocket for the next day.
The snow covered world that is presented in this story really is every child's wish. I love how the author just pulls me right into the story. The words and the illustrations work together so that I can hear the crunching of the snow beneath the boy's feet.
In my mind, I have become the little boy in this snow-covered world!
In the story, as the boy is making his way through the snow-covered world he picks up a stick and draws a line in the snow. As I think about this part of the story, it makes me think of how fun it can be to draw and write in snow. This is a great way to incorporate a fun playtime in the snow and incorporate the building block for strong reading skills.
Next time it snows, be like the little boy in the story and take your child outside into the snow to explore. Along the way, pick up a stick and write letters and words in the snow.
No sticks around? No problem -- use your feet to make the letters or draw them with your mitten-covered hand.
Too cold to be outside? Find your way inside. There are many ways to promote and encourage reading skills in the warmth of your home.
Find a favorite recipe that you can make together. Work together with your child to read the recipe, measure out the ingredients and in the end share a yummy treat. Not only does this activity help promote reading, but it has the added bonus of math skills as well.
Another great way to build reading skills is by playing a game! Many games have spelling or reading components such as Scrabble Junior, Boggle Jr., Zingo or Alphabet Memory. Your child will be excited to play a game with you and may not even realize they are building their reading skills during this fun time.
Write a letter to a loved one or friend. Your child can write about their day or make up a story. If they are feeling creative they can add illustrations. If your child is too young to write on their own, encourage them to draw a picture and you can write the words. As you write the word to accompany their picture talk about how the letter are shaped and the sounds that each letter makes. By doing this you are building a strong foundation on your child's journey to becoming a reader.
The next time you are trying to figure out what to do on a snowy day just think about all the fun you can have and maybe build up your little ones reading skills along the way.
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Kelly Rodenbaugh is the Youth Services Manager at Mifflin County Library.