5 Fun Halloween Bedtime Stories to Read to Your Children
Halloween has become a much-anticipated event in Australia over recent years. Kids love trick-or-treating and many schools get in on the fun by hosting dances, parades, and fetes.
This is also an ideal time to introduce your children to some great Halloween-themed books. Reading fun bedtime stories together has many benefits. It encourages children to become readers for pleasure, provides quality time together and has a very positive impact on kids’ literacy skills.
Research into reading and development by the Victorian Department of Education found that reading to young children has a ‘significant positive effect on their reading skills and cognitive skills later in life.’ In fact, children who read with an adult every night were cognitively almost 12 months ahead of their peers.
Here are some wonderful books to enjoy with your child this Halloween.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Halloween Trick or Treat
Younger children will adore this picture book by Eric Carle. The hungry caterpillar is, as usual, on the prowl for treats. Kids can get involved by counting all of the spooky creatures on each page to help him find the treats. There’s a trick-or-treat surprise in the form of a gatefold at the end of the book that will delight children.
This book is excellent for developing both literacy and numeracy skills. It’s ideal to read at bedtime and will send kids off to sleep with a smile on their face.
Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories
This collection of short stories by Jeff Kinney is sure to please. The tales about zombies, werewolves and human heads are both spooky and funny, which is a winning combination for young readers.
These creepy stories will help kids get into the mood for Halloween and give their literacy skills a boost at the same time. We recommend reading a story each night in the lead-up to Halloween. After you’ve finished the stories, why not ask kids to write one of their own?
The Witches
The Witches by Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake is a children’s classic which was first published in 1983. The witches in the book spend their days scheming and plotting to get rid of kids forever.
When a diabolical plot by the Grand High Witch is uncovered by a young boy and his grandmother, they must do everything in their power to stop her. Children will be enthralled and captivated by this wonderful story.
Daisy and the Trouble with Vampires
Vampires are always popular at Halloween and this story by Kes Gray will not disappoint. Daisy the protagonist is not afraid of vampires, but she is getting tired of hearing about them as Halloween draws nearer.
Daisy finds that when darkness falls, all this talk of vampires, ghosts, zombies and werewolves can play havoc with a girl’s imagination. This spooky instalment in the Daisy series is a must for girls aged 6 – 8 years.
The Whisperling
Hayley Hoskin’s story is set in 1897 and it centres on Peggy Devona, a child who has a very special gift that she must keep to herself. Peggy can speak to ghosts.
When Peggy’s best friend Sally is wrongly accused of killing wealthy Lady Stanton, Peggy must call on the ghosts and her own courage to save her friend. This spooky book explores thought-provoking themes that will help kids think more deeply about social issues.
How a Tutor Can Help With Literacy Skills
Reading with children at home is a proven way to enhance literacy and cognitive skills, but some kids need more intensive support. A tutor can help by working with your child to develop a learning plan tailored to their specific needs.
Literacy skills are required in every career and students with good communication skills have a major advantage. For these reasons it’s vital to address learning needs sooner rather than later.
Contacts us for a free consultation today.