Christmas is just around the corner, and we are all starting to pull out the decorations or maybe you and the children in your care are making some new ones! Christmas songs are playing and the children are talking about what they want from Santa!
A favourite activity in my house at Christmas time is an advent count down. We all love these don’t we? I have tried many different advent calendar over the years. Last year I sewed my own advent calendar with pockets and added my own items. My kids loved it!
However, I have to say, one of my favourites is a Christmas book advent. This is simple and easy to create. Simply wrap up books you already own and put a number on the front. You can do this at home or at school.
It’s a great way to surprise the kids with what story you will read that day. If you have brought some new books this year it is an even bigger surprise when they open that day’s parcel and find a new book rather than an old favourite.
I have built up such a great collection of children’s Christmas stories over the years, and I was excited to see some of the new books released this year. I have my advent book count down collection list here if you are looking for inspiration.
Christmas stories often carry insightful messages. This is a great way to open up conversations about being kind, generous and appreciating the things you receive or what happens when you are greedy. By reading and talking about these behaviours children can learn some valuable life lessons.
Reading at Christmas time isn’t just about the words on the page, it’s about shaping their love for literature and exposing them to new words and ideas. Books and the stories they contain help unlock the door to a child’s imagination.
Christmas time is so busy for everyone, and it is easy to get tangled up in the hustle and bustle, so this Christmas try to stop and slow down, even for just for the 15 minutes before their bedtime. Read your child a Christmas story and enjoy this magical moment and create lasting memories.
The team here at Sounds good to me would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!