Creating Holiday Reading Moments Together: Tips for Military Families
December 12, 2024
The holiday season is a time for family, celebration, and creating cherished memories. This season often holds an added layer of importance for military families, as it provides an opportunity to strengthen bonds amid the unique challenges of military life. Reading together as a family is one simple yet impactful way to connect.
Sharing stories during the holidays fosters togetherness and helps build emotional connections, even when physical distance might separate loved ones. For military families, reading provides a consistent and comforting ritual despite the challenges of frequent change from military life. A shared story becomes a bridge, allowing parents and children to feel close, whether gathered around a fireplace or connected via video call from across the globe.
Reading together also nurtures a sense of continuity, which is vital for military families navigating constant change. Revisiting favorite holiday books each year or discovering new stories creates traditions that children can count on, regardless of where they are stationed. These traditions provide stability and a sense of home, grounding families in shared values and experiences.
Additionally, reading aloud encourages deeper communication. Military parents can use stories to express emotions, teach lessons, or spark meaningful conversations about resilience, gratitude, and the spirit of giving. It’s a chance for children to ask questions and share their thoughts, fostering an environment of openness and trust. Books also allow families to celebrate cultural diversity, especially when stationed abroad. Reading stories about different holiday traditions broadens perspectives, making the season richer and more inclusive.
How United Through Reading Helps Military Families During the Holidays
United Through Reading’s extensive book list offers a treasure trove of titles for families to share and read together, no matter how far apart the family members are. Check out the books in the curated list, including these classics.
Reading A Christmas Carol aloud as a family during the holiday season is a magical way to celebrate timeless themes of redemption, generosity, and the spirit of giving. Charles Dickens’ vivid storytelling and memorable characters—like the curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge and the cheerful Tiny Tim—come to life when shared as a group, creating a rich and immersive experience. As a read-aloud, the story’s rhythmic language and powerful messages offer opportunities for family discussions about kindness, gratitude, and the importance of valuing people over possessions. It also provides a meaningful way to slow down and connect amidst the holiday hustle, fostering togetherness and creating cherished memories. By revisiting this classic tale, families can strengthen bonds and reinforce the values that make the holiday season special.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson is a humorous and heartwarming tale that brings a fresh perspective to the holiday season. The story of the Herdman children, a group of rowdy siblings who unexpectedly take over the annual Christmas pageant, delivers powerful lessons about compassion, acceptance, and the true meaning of Christmas. Reading or hearing this story as a family offers laughter and valuable opportunities for discussing empathy and seeing the good in others. The book’s themes of community and transformation resonate deeply during the holidays, making it a perfect read-aloud to bring families closer together. Sharing this story as a family creates a joyful tradition while reinforcing the importance of kindness and understanding, key values of the season.
The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore is a beloved holiday poem that captures the magic and wonder of Christmas Eve with its rhythmic verses and vivid imagery. The joyful cadence brings the festive spirit to life, creating a sense of warmth and anticipation. Poems like this are especially engaging when read aloud because their rhythm and rhyme enhance listening skills and captivate audiences of all ages. Sharing The Night Before Christmas fosters family togetherness, builds excitement for the holiday, and introduces children to the beauty of language in an entertaining and memorable way. As the words flow like a song, they create an enchanting atmosphere perfect for creating treasured holiday traditions.
United Through Reading’s storytime recordings are a fantastic way to bond over the holidays, especially if duty has pulled some family members away. Using our free app, those at home can see and hear their loved one read a Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Lunar New Year story.
This holiday season, consider making family reading part of your celebrations. Whether it’s enjoying a classic holiday tale, exploring a winter-themed adventure, or sharing a book recorded through programs like United Through Reading, the time spent together will create lasting memories. In the military family, where every moment matters, reading together truly is a gift that keeps on giving.
Our literacy tips are presented by Reader’s Digest Foundation.
