Easy Preschool Reading Challenge
A reading challenge is a fun way to explore books with your preschoolers. Create a simple reading challenge to set in motion a lifetime adventure with books, while supporting early childhood skills.
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A reading challenge will get you and the kids excited about books. There are so many stories just waiting to be enjoyed!
Reading books with preschoolers – and older kids! – is always awesome, but when you label an event as a challenge, it adds a layer of initiative to the activity, resulting in an accomplishment to be shared by all participants.
A reading challenge invites kids to reach a goal or complete an action by getting involved in the activity – deciding on topics, searching for books, and participating in readings (listening and commenting). This makes the invitation hands-on and interactive.
You can initiate a reading challenge at home or in the classroom, with just a few books, or with a tall stack of books. A free printable planner is included to help you organize your event.
Preschool reading challenge
This hands-on approach to a reading challenge can spark interest in exploring themes and encourage participation in story times, helping to strengthen language and cognitive skills.
Here are a few ideas for setting up your book reading challenge, at home or in the classroom.
1. Choose a topic.
Decide on a theme for your challenge. You can ask kids for their ideas, and also observe interests day to day. The options are limitless. Here are a few ideas.
- Animals
- Weather
- Transportation
- Planets
- Friends
- Alphabet
2. Collect books on the topic.
Search book collections in the home and classroom.
Visit the library.
Browse a thrift store.
Initiate a book exchange play date.
3. Plan reading times.
In the classroom, read books at circle time, and make books accessible for independent reading.
At home, add related books to bed time or quiet time routines. A shelf or basket can also holds books at home for independent reading.
4. Follow up.
The printable organizer has suggestions on how to record the books you read during the challenge.
You can list the book titles, ask open-ended questions, and post photos of the books you read.
More ways to support a book challenge
1. Organize a free book fair where teachers can exchange books.
2. Invite students to read to ‘read’ a book for show-and-tell.
3. Roleplay actions in traditional nursery rhymes with puppets or props.
4. Introduce other interesting challenges: books with no words; tiny books; popup books.
How ‘reading’ is included in daily activities
Kids see words on toy trucks, or letters of the alphabet on blocks.
They ‘read’ a recipe posted in the dramatic play center.
They also see words in their surroundings, and observe adults reading them in everyday activities.
- Street signs
- Cereal boxes
- Newspapers
- Greeting cards
As the reading challenge unfolds, you can observe the ways kids are ‘reading’, and use these ideas for new themes and related activities.
Fun with a reading challenge
A book reading challenge is a simple prompt you can use to highlight the joy of reading. It adds interest to regular story times, and provides incentive to explore books – the more the merrier!
Whether you choose hard copies with pages to turn, or digital copies with pages to swipe, books are valuable for early learners.
The goal is to read, read, read!
