There are so many literacy events in September! September 8th was International Literacy Day and September 25th is National Open the Magic Day. Open the Magic Day is a time to celebrate reading aloud, instilling a love of reading in our kids, and supporting students who struggle to find their reading voice.
Here are some ideas to help you celebrate Open the Magic Day with your kids:
Celebrate The Magic of Reading
It’s never to early to start reading with your kids!
Reading to a baby introduces them to the patterns of language. They start to see how we physically read books (from left to right) and what it means for a book to be right-side-up versus upside down.
Most importantly, reading to a baby (and continuing to read as they grow), makes kids feel safe and loved by a caregiver. Holding a baby or small child in your lap and snuggling close while reading together associates a feeling of safety and love to books. No wonder so many of us love reading!
As children grow older, reading to them continues to build their literacy skills. They are exposed to new vocabulary and ideas through books. The conversations that go along with reading books together can also help them learn the fundamentals of stories, like character development and plot.
Reading also helps people of all ages to develop curiosity, empathy and compassion toward the world around them. Through books, we can all be exposed to other cultures, lifestyles, and beliefs.
People of all ages love to have stories read to them. Just look at the popularity of audiobooks, the fastest growing type of book in the publishing world! Before people wrote down stories, they listened to them shared aloud. Deep down, we all still love listening to a good story. That is the magic of read aloud together.
How to Celebrate Open the Magic Day with Your Kids
If you have a child in your life, take time on September 25 (and really, everyday) to read aloud to them or even have them read aloud to you. As you read and pause, ask some questions to help build your children’s literacy skills. Ask them:
- What do you see here?
- Who is this character?
- Why do you think this character did that?
- Is this the beginning, middle, or end of the story?
- What do you notice in this picture? What could that image mean?
- Who is the author of this story? Who is the illustrator?
- What does an author do? What does an illustrator do?
- What colors do you see in this story? Which colors do you like?
- What is the funniest part of this story? Why did it make you laugh?
By taking the time to read slowly, pause, and really take in the story, you are helping your kids absorb more of the tale and the magic of reading.
If your child struggles to answer any of these questions, stay positive and encouraging. The best way to instill a love of reading in our kids is to make sure reading together is a pleasant experience. The point isn’t necessarily to get the answers “right” but to explore the ideas together. Make your main goal to have fun together and the rest will fall into place.
Some Magical Books to Read Together
If you’re looking for some good book recommendations for National Open the Magic Day, here are a few of our favorites:
The Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess Series
These books are great for kids ages 6-11. Throughout this series, you watch young Kayla grow up and overcome adversity to achieve her dreams of becoming a Broadway star.
These books are inspired by my daughter, Broadway star Kayla Pecchioni. Her story will inspire children of all backgrounds, interests and ages to fearlessly pursue their dreams. Your child will also benefit from learning new coping skills that are modeled throughout the series.
This beautiful book models the language of peace. It’s breathtaking illustrations and simple yet profound message make it a great read for kids of all ages.
In the Nick of Time and In the Nick of Time Too
In my opinion, it’s never too early for the holidays! In this Christmas-themed series, Nick Saint learns powerful lessons about giving, acceptance and the reality that love and hope can come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
I wrote this series at a time when books about Black Santas were essentially non-existent because I wanted my kids to be able to ready Christmas stories about people who looked like them.
How to Dream
My upcoming book, How to Dream is my first book dedicated to adults. It won’t be available for purchase until October 2024 but you can get a sneak peek of the book and a sample of the beautiful workbook that goes along with it to help you find your passions, reignite your dreams and become unstoppable in the pursuit of the fulfilling life you know you deserve.
I hope that you enjoy reading and exploring National Open the Magic Day with your kids!