The Family Reading Game is a great idea to help a child who struggles with reading., and also promotes reading as a fun pastime. Many of the kids with reading problems who I've worked with in therapy, and even my own daughter have voiced how alone, stupid, and different  they feel in our reading world. The Family Reading Game helps kids practice reading and their comprehension skills without making them feel stigmatized. Here's how it works:

1. On a large white board list every family member's name, and after each name draw a row of 5 boxes. The goal of the game is to check off all of the  boxes next to everyone's name—when they are, the entire family gets a prize, something special that has been decided in advance. It could take days or weeks to fill the entire board, but each member must do their part to check off their 5 boxes.

2. Everyone in the family reads something throughout the days and weeks and then explain what they've read about  to  the whole family or to at least one member of the family—that includes children and adults. Each person must speak about what they've read even if it is for only a few minutes. Then the person gets a check mark in one of the boxes. This part of the exercise is good public speaking practice.

3. All reading counts and what is read must not be rated in any way: a newspaper or magazine article, back of a cereal box, an advertisement, one page in a book, a poem, etc. are all equal and deserving of a check mark.

4. Children who have difficulty reading are  helped by parents or older siblings. Positive reinforcement is given for every member's explanation about what they've read—-a great confidence booster. No negative comments or teasing is allowed for anyone with a reading problem.

There is no pressure, but the fun is to see how fast everyone can check off all of the boxes and then yippee! enjoy the prize. Suggestions for prizes are: pizza party, go out for ice-cream, family movie or game night, hiking, a picnic—you name it!

Many kids have benefited from this game, and it's a nice way for families to communicate and connect.

Warm Regards,
Diane