Summer is here, bringing with it endless days of sunshine and play. You’re either traveling around and doing some well-deserved exploring, attending summer camps, or spending some time relaxing at home. To add a bit of structure and a lot of fun to your child’s vacation, we’re excited to share this completely free reading challenge initiated by professional reading tutor Katie Hamons, who specializes in helping children aged 4-12 years old with reading. Hamons has over five years of experience teaching reading to this age group in Beijing and loves to share her wealth of knowledge with others. “My primary goal is to transform early reading experiences into engaging and enjoyable journeys using Koala Go, an online teaching platform that makes learning to read fun for young learners,” Hamons tells us.
Hamons’ Month-Long Reading Challenge on WeChat is designed to keep kids engaged and excited about reading during the break. If you’d like to join, you can enter by sending in a video of your child reading a book they choose, or Hamons can help select an appropriate book for them based on their reading level.
This challenge is perfect for any child who loves reading or wants to develop a love for reading. Parents looking to maintain their children’s reading skills over the summer will find this challenge beneficial. Also, it’s a fun way to spend time together with your kids doing something educational.
Throughout the month, students can submit their videos for feedback and Hamons will provide tips on how they can improve their reading and they can resubmit their video before the deadline of Jul 26 at midnight. At the end of the month, parents can invite friends into the reading challenge WeChat group to vote.
To make this challenge even more enticing, Hamons has even prepared prizes for the participants to win.
Challenge Details and Prizes
– 1st Place: A free 30-minute 1:1 reading lesson with Hamons.
– 2nd Place: A free PDF of a book of their choice.
– 3rd Place: A fun bookmark to print and color.
– Participation: All challenge participants will receive a certificate of participation.
You can reach Hamons through WeChat. Here’s her WeChat ID: [katiehamons]. You can also scan the QR code below to join the reading challenge group.
For parents who are currently teaching their kids how to read, it can be a long and frustrating journey at the beginning. But once children grasp the concept and discover their capabilities on their own, a whole new world opens up to them. Hamons shares five tips from her years of experience as a reading tutor to help parents help their kids onto their reading journey.
1. Read Aloud Daily:
Make reading a part of your daily routine. Choose books your child enjoys and read together. Discuss the stories and ask questions to engage them.
2. Create a Reading-Friendly Environment:
Surround your child with books and reading materials. Have a cozy reading nook where they can enjoy their books comfortably.
3. Incorporate Fun Activities:
Use games, songs, and hands-on activities to teach reading skills. Koala Go’s* interactive resources can also make learning engaging and enjoyable.
4. Be Patient and Encouraging:
Celebrate small victories and be patient with your child’s progress. Encourage them and avoid pressuring them to read before they’re ready.
5. Lead by Example:
Show your love for reading by reading your own books. Your enthusiasm will inspire your child to develop a similar passion.
*Koala Go is an interactive platform that Hamons uses for her lessons. It’s equipped with an interactive whiteboard, a shared browser, and an immersive playground.
This engaging program is designed to motivate kids to dive into books, explore new worlds, and keep their minds active during the break. Scan the QR code in the article to add Hamons on WeChat to join the group.
Images: Katie Hamons, Pexels