Learn All Year Long
ReadWriteThink has a variety of resources for out-of-school use. Visit our Parent & Afterschool Resources section to learn more.
Letís Share a Story
When children are young, adults are in charge of setting up group playdates to encourage social interaction. Why not give them some purpose by creating a theme based around a popular childrenís book? Keep the children happy and engaged with a book reading, discussion, art project or activity, and snack time. This example provides ideas for The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, but the concept can be used with almost any childrenís book.
This activity makes story time even more fun by sharing it with friends. It fosters a love of reading and expands childrenís vocabularies. Talking about the story afterward helps children think about the story and understand it better. The comfortable setting gives them the confidence to speak up in a group. This activity also provides an opportunity to teach important social skills such as listening, taking turns, being a good host or hostess, being a polite guest, and making friends.