Football season is in full swing, and in the South we are serious about this sport! It’s like a five month long holiday filled with joy, gatherings, food, fun and hard feelings. I joke (kinda). Obviously, there are football fans all over the country, and the nip in the air that comes with autumn signals the arrival of this beloved pastime. To be honest with you, I’d rather read a good book and leave football watching to my husband and sons. But really there’s no reason to choose between these two loves. Red Apple Reading has some fun ways for parents to combine reading and football for their little pigskin fans.
- Football Reading Challenge – If your kiddo enjoys the competition that accompanies football, she would also probably enjoy a reading challenge. Create a fun competition that encourages your child to read. Sit down with your kid and help her come up with a reasonable number of books to read during the season. After you have established a goal come up with some fun incentives to keep her motivated. Perhaps a funnel cake or other yummy treat from the concession stand at the school football game for every book read. At the end of the season, have a Super Bowl size celebration to reward your champion reader.
- Football Books – Do you have a football fan in your family who isn’t crazy about reading? Perhaps a book about their favorite sport would provide a little encouragement. Fortunately, there is no shortage of football-themed books available for children these days. Whether your kiddo likes fiction or non-fiction reading, there are books out there for him! Check out this list of 10 football books for kids on Fancy Shanty!
- Football Sight Words – If you have an emerging reader in your family you probably know all about sight words! Sight words are words that appear regularly in kid’s books that children need to know upon sight (they can’t always be sounded out phonetically). Young readers who love football can practice their sight words by writing them on football shaped pieces of construction paper. They will also enjoy Football Fanatic – a football sight word literacy packet found on Teachers Pay Teachers.
- Football Writing Prompts – Reading and writing go hand in hand. If you want to nurture your football fan’s passion for writing, encourage him write about what he loves! Give your kiddo some ideas to help him get started. For instance: “If you were a professional football player, who would you play for?” or “Why do you think football is the best sport to play?”. After all, children are more inclined to write if they’re writing about something that they find interesting!
- Football, Tailgating, and Reading – Many families enjoy tailgating during the football season. If your crew tailgates before the big game, add a book to the game day menu. While the burgers are on the grill, pull out a book and read to the family. This will not only help pass the time while you wait on lunch but also boost your children’s appetite for reading!
Don’t make the mistake of assuming because your child is a sports nut that he or she will not enjoy reading. Find ways to incorporate football into your child’s reading time. With a little creative thinking and planning you will find that you not only have a football fan in your home but you also have a reading fan!
