"Story date"

Since I started writing this blog, I find myself trying to figure out new ways to make reading an integral part of our children's life. I want them to perceive reading as entertaining as any other joyful activity they do.
In this post I would like to present to you a new term "Story date" (I got the inspiration from the term "play date").
The story date can take place in many many ways. You just have to be creative and adjust it to your kids' ages, areas of interest, temperament and level of understanding.

I have a few ideas to share with you:

1. During each play date, dedicate some time for literature: read a book/ make an imaginary story/ talk about books you like. This is of course the responsibility of the parent of the kid who hosts the play date.
2. Organize an upgraded "library" style story time for a group of friends. Do it on a regular basis. It can be done outdoors in a park or each time in another child's house.

• The kids who host the story date get to choose the book (and read it if they are old enough or know it by heart). 

• After reading the book at the story date, hold a discussion about it or have a joint activity related to the book, it can be a play, a craft or anything else that is on your mind. 

• The hosts also get to be responsible for the refreshments and the giveaways (if you decide to have them). The giveaways don't have to be anything expensive, just a little something that will serve as a memory of the event.
• This will bond the group of children and will give them a lot of things to talk about, a great collective memory and a strong foundation to become passionate readers.
• You can always choose to read on a story date a book you wrote for or with your kids using batalugu.com

Tell a tale,
Dorit Rosen
Founder
Batalugu