Reading Resolutions for the Whole Family

By FPL_Staff

With the New Year ringing in resolutions of every kind, families are resolving to get fit, make time, and create healthy new habits.  How about creating a reading habit?  Reading often and together is a great resolution that everyone in your family can enjoy.

But how do you start a Reading Resolution?  First, many goal setting experts recommend creating a S.M.A.R.T. goal instead of a “resolution.”  S.M.A.R.T. goals are:

Specific – “Our family is going to read together for 30 minutes every Saturday until March.” This tells you the who, what, when, where, and why of your goal.

Measurable – 30 minutes every Saturday until March is a length of time that can be measured.

Attainable – 30 minutes is an attainable time frame for this family. Saying that they will read for two hours is a lofty goal that this family might not be able to attain.  Goals that are too lofty can often become discouraging.

Realistic – Similar to attainable, a realistic goal is something that this family actually WANTS to achieve. Setting a goal that you don’t look forward to achieving is not a recipe for success.  This family may not look forward to a goal of two hours of silent reading time on a Saturday, but maybe yours will!  Pick the goal that is right for you and your family.

Timely – Make sure that your goal is time limited.  Starting out with every Saturday until March makes this family’s goal easily attainable.  After three months of success, they may choose to extend their goal for another month and so on.  This also gives the family the opportunity to adjust their goal when soccer season comes around and Saturdays are no longer full of free time.

Make sure that you work together with your family to come up with your S.M.A.R.T. goal.  When everyone is invested in your goal, it will not only be much more successful but more enjoyable too.

If you’re feeling a little stuck, Reading Challenges are a great place to start for Reading Resolution ideas. You could even make completing a Reading Challenge your family’s resolution for this year.

Here are a few examples:

Whatever your Reading Resolution style, don’t forget to take time to reflect on your journey as you work toward your goal.  Reminding your family of their progress not only builds a sense of accomplishment but can inspire them to set new goals with confidence! Happy New Year and Happy Reading!