The Christmas and New Year’s holidays will soon be here and our children will have many days off from school. I often like to think about creative ways for parents to encourage their children to read and develop active readers from a young age. Why not consider building a fort in a child’s room or family room as a unique, cozy, private place to read?
In building a makeshift fort, let your children take the lead in researching what types of forts can be built, planning what is needed, and actually building it. After all, it’s “their” fort. I recommend starting out by searching the internet for pictures, articles and ideas. There are also many books that give step by step instructions on building all types of forts.
A fort can be simple and just made with a few chairs for walls and a blanket thrown across the chairs for the roof. Or, it can be more elaborate. What is important is that everyone participates in the decision as to what it will look like. Be sure to make it big enough so that you can join your children in the fort. A fun activity is reading to them inside the fort!
This project will definitely be one for the memory books! And, importantly, you and your children will have a fun time bonding.