Welcome to The Very Flannel Dino!
Tips for reading with your kids.
Welcome to The Very Flannel Dino Newsletter!
The Very Flannel Dino is a kids’ storytime I started a little over a year ago to help inspire the next generation to love reading. By subscribing to the Flannel Dino Newsletter, you will receive updates on Flannel Dino events and tips on reading with your kid.
Today, I will give you a tip I use to help my 15-year-old son with reading comprehension.
Oliver is a very active boy. He’s fully capable of reading, but it’s not something he enjoys. This year, he’s been busy—he played football, tried out for baseball, and eventually found his groove in track. His days are filled with school, homework, chores, and practice, and there’s not much time left for much else.
But reading is still important. And it’s my responsibility to help him manage his responsibilities. So, I set a simple goal for him: 15 minutes of reading every day. Sometimes, he meets that goal, and sometimes, he doesn’t, but I’m always reminding him to try, especially on days when he does have the time.
On the weekends, things are a little different. We go to Barnes & Noble together. We sit for an hour, sometimes an hour and a half. I have him pick out books he's interested in. He's considering going into the military, so he’s reading a book on the Korean War. He also loves biology, animals, and nature—so he’s reading a book about octopuses (or octopi, depending on who you ask). He reads, and I read or work. After about 45 minutes, I have him tell me what he read.
This is key. When he’s done, he sits and tells me everything he’s learned. That turns into a real conversation because usually, whatever he reads overlaps with life, and we just talk. Believe it or not, learning about octopi got us talking about centralized and decentralized power.
Going through this process with your kid is really helpful. When they’re just starting out or trying to develop a habit they don’t naturally enjoy, they need a little hand-holding. They need reminders. They need help in the right direction.
And there’s another benefit—it helps them remember what they read. That immediate sharing helps them process and retain the information. As a parent, it also helps you understand if they need additional support.
It’s simple, but it works.
The next Flannel Dino storytime will be Thursday, June 19th at Vita Nova Coffee Creatives in Nokesville, VA., from 10 to 11 AM. This is a great event for kids 10 and under. I hope to see you there!