Grandparents, we have lots to offer our grands when it comes to reading! Given our experiences, we can help them navigate the route to fun and engaging reading. With our school-age grandkids, virtual storytime is like a partnership. I like to call it, “read-sharing.” Put another way, vIrtual read-sharing is like Uber.  And, virtual read-sharing with school-age grands delivers smiles beyond the miles.

For tips about reading with school-age kids, I turned to my daughter-in-law up north (nDIL), master teacher and elementary school reading specialist extraordinaire.  For bonding at a distance with reading, I checked in with my mom and cherished long distance grandparent.

Low Tech Connect

As long-distance grandparents, my mom and dad regularly recorded themselves reading books on cassette tapes. Each month, they sent a new tape to our kids.  As the grandkids grew older, they read the same books the kids enjoyed.  For example, my niece loved the Sunday Comics Kids Section.  So, my parents sent that to her.  Every week.  When it arrived across the Atlantic, they talked about the articles.

Secret Sauce for Read-sharing

What was my parents’ secret sauce for connecting with their grands through reading?  Coincidentally, the answer is the same as my nDIL’s advice:  Know the kids’ interests and “meet them where they are”.  Intuitively, they did just that.  As a result, they knew what their grandkids were reading. Even at a distance. As soon as a new Harry Potter book was released, for instance, my mom ran out to buy it.  She read it immediately.  And when the grandsons read it, they’d talk on the phone about wizards and sorcerers.

Let the Kids Lead

Coincidentally, my nDIL’s reading tips also focus on meeting kids where they are.   That is to say, let the kids take the lead on book suggestions, even if they want to reread a favorite.  Knowing their activities and interests give clues to the types of books your grandkids might enjoy read-sharing.

Reading Aloud

As a reading specialist, my nDIL is a HUGE fan of reading aloud at any age!  She cautions that this could take some creative coaxing, like taking turns reading aloud to build confidence when the grandkids are ready.  Considering the challenges of the school year ahead, we really can make a difference in our grandkid’s reading skills.

Reading out loud can help grandkids expand their vocabulary, too. It can give them opportunities to discuss ideas and emotions.  They might be tempted to read a book that otherwise might have been overlooked.  Furthermore, reading aloud increases fluency (here’s why) and models our love of reading.

7 More Tips for Read-sharing with School-age Grands

1. Choose a book together while apart. Videochat and browse your favorite online book reviews together. See what catches both of your interests.
2. Try chapter books that span several days or weeks.
3. Share books that you read to their parents, and share those memories.  I remember reading jokes with my son. We laughed so hard we could barely continue!
4. After a while, try introducing a book that interests you. Be flexible. And, be ready to switch plans if interest wanes.
5. PIcture books. A hit any age!
6. Make up stories to spark creativity and imagination.  Try either a blank book or a book such as Finish This Book.
7. Experiment.  eReader or hard copy?  Videochat or phone call? Ask your grandchild. Stay flexible.

Titles for Early Readers Through 4th Grade

• • Charlotte’s Web – Beloved classic about friendship, empathy, natural cycles of life. Real-life problems told with imagination and love.
  • Where the Mountain Meets the Moon – A beautiful tale of intertwining stories including a young girl facing fear and adventure. Lessons about courage, love, and family.
  • Captain Underpants books – Adventure of two zany fourth graders.
  • Ride a Purple Pelican – A collection of rhyming poems with alliterations.
  • Lots of Knock, Knock Jokes for Kids –  Everyone loves a good knock, knock joke.

 Tweens Titles

• • Harry Potter series – Classics our kids enjoyed. Wizards and sorcerers, kids facing imaginative challenges.
  • The Goosebumps series – Scary kids stories. These stories can help children manage feelings of fear.
  • Magic Treehouse series – Features exciting travels through time and far away places.
  • Ada Twist and the Perilous Pants – Continues Ada’s scientific curiosity with endless questions and creative discovery.
  • How to Eat a Poem: A Smorgasbord of Tasty and Delicious Poems for Young Readers – Very fun collection of poems.

High Tech Read-sharing

For read-sharing with videochats, remember your tripod and other tech tools to make sharing easy.  It’s much easier on your hands!

Endless Possibilities

Once you and grands have connected through read-sharing, using a low tech or high tech route, try a virtual book club.  You could even microwave a quick mug cake and snack while read-sharing.  Endless possibilities.  Best of all, set a date to read together AGAIN!

With love and thanks to my nDIL and my mom who devour books and inspire me to read a wide variety of titles.  For more great titles, check out Frankin’s Toys and Goodreads Chapter Books to Read Aloud.