The stress of holiday road trips can tempt any parent to let their kids zone out in front of a screen, but don’t give in! To prevent bored youngsters from disappearing into their tablets or phones during long drives, consider healthier modes of entertainment, such as audiobooks. Unlike passive entertainment media such as movies and video games, audiobooks can accelerate a child’s reading ability by making more complex language accessible. Also, the whole family can enjoy listening to a good audiobook — even sitting in separate seats in a moving car! Apps like Libby or Hoopla provide access to audiobooks and ebooks through participating public libraries. Amazon Prime subscribers can access some free audiobooks through Audible. For suggestions on family fare, ask your local librarian or check out the nonprofit Common Sense Media website for recommended holiday-themed books. For elementary school children, consider “The Snow Queen,” a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. This classic story of a girl saving her friend from danger, read by Julia Whelan, will inspire listeners with its lessons about fidelity and courage. Another classic is “The Cricket in Times Square” by George Selden. Read with dazzling energy by “Monk” actor Tony Shalhoub, this tale of a streetwise city mouse encountering a country cricket in a New York subway station is an engaging, easy listen. For tweens, “The Mother-Daughter Book Club, Book 5” by Heather Vogel Frederick tells of five book club members setting out on holiday trips from the tropics to the Alps. Of course, numerous disasters befall them before the book’s satisfying ending! Another Christmas-themed winner is “Nickel Bay Nick” by Blair Jackson, a coming-of-age novel about a troublemaking 11-year- old boy who gets a chance to redeem himself when a mysterious neighbor blackmails him to perform acts of charity in their down-and-out town. And “Juniper’s Christmas” by Eoin Colfer is a Christmas adventure about 11-year- old Juniper Lane, who is accidentally exposed to North Pole magic after she asks for help from a mysterious woodsman living in a nearby park. As you listen, you can enjoy knowing that in addition to entertaining the family, you are stimulating your child’s imagination and language ability as they visualize the people and places in these delightful stories. Hit ‘Play’ and Hit the Road Audiobooks the Whole Family Will Love
The Reading Ranch Advantage
Helping children build confidence in reading, writing, and spelling — one step at a time.
At The Reading Ranch, we offer small-group, phonics- based literacy programs for children in PreK through 6th grade. Our research-backed approach focuses on:
• Building strong phonics and decoding skills
• Strengthening reading comprehension strategies
• Mastering writing and spelling to clearly express ideas
Our Approach: • Small class sizes for personalized attention
• A structured, step-by-step curriculum
• Certified, caring instructors who motivate and support each child
Whether your child needs extra support or a challenge to stay ahead, we provide a fun, nurturing environment where reading becomes a skill they love to use.
Schedule a free, private reading assessment today at 214-449-1406 or ReadingRanch.com.
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