Bonding with Your Nieces and Nephews through Books
Sharing a love for reading with your nieces and nephews is a wonderful way to strengthen your relationship. Regardless of whether the child already has a love for books or needs a little encouragement, as an aunt, you can play a valuable role by making reading a fun activity you share together.
Here are some suggestions on how aunts can use books as a vehicle for entertaining, teaching, and bonding with their little ones:
Find new places to read together: Pack a picnic lunch, a big blanket, some favorite books, and find the perfect tree in a local park. Or, if you live close by, bring the child back to your home for an afternoon of stories & snacks in your backyard or on a favorite couch. The key is to break up the monotony of reading in the same place, and inject some extra fun into the experience.
Visit a library: If you have not stepped foot in a library for some time, you will be pleasantly surprised at what it offers. A well-run branch has ever-changing displays and attractions for kids. You can easily spend an hour or so browsing, and then your niece or nephew can select a generous number of books to enjoy for a couple of weeks.
Give books as gifts: Make a book your signature gift to nieces and nephews. And then to really make an impression, write a special message for the child someplace inside. Long after toys are discarded, books will have a lasting spot on a child’s bookshelf and your words of wisdom will be cherished forever.
Host a story hour: There is a noticeable change in a child’s reading experience when it takes place as part of a group. Children share laughter, answer each other’s questions, and generally enjoy the dynamic of story time with others. As an aunt, you may consider inviting some of your friends (along with their nieces & nephews) to your home for a lunch date and story hour.
Go on an outing to the bookstore: You can enjoy a completely entertaining couple of hours at the bookstore with your nieces and nephews. The children’s section is chock full of great books on display, often with miniature tables and chairs perfect for little ones to settle in and read to their heart’s content. Cap off the trip by allowing the child to pick a special book as a souvenir.
For older nieces and nephews... read their favorite book on your own: Once children are reading chapter books independently, it can be difficult to share a reading experience together. So consider this - find out what they are reading and pick up a copy of the book. There are some incredible books for advanced readers that adults can equally enjoy. A great way to keep the lines of communication open with your nieces and nephews is to talk to them about their favorite book.
As an aunt, you have a special relationship that stands apart from everyone else in the child’s life. You can enrich the time you spend with your nieces and nephews by bringing books into the picture. Next time you are looking for an activity to do together, think about all the creative ways of turning reading into a fun, enlightening, and memorable experience.