Once Upon a Table: Dinner Conversation in Character

[vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_ctation ctaction_background=”#e8230d” ctaction_background_hover=”#e8230d”]Make dinner special and educational by getting into character and engaging in the most imaginative dinner conversation your family has ever experienced.[/ultimate_ctation][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Who’s ready for some storybook dinner dates? With March being National Reading Month, parents and teachers are on the hunt for ways to get young kids and older kids excited about reading. How parents view reading can make all the difference. Reading with kids is more than just decoding words, it’s about igniting imagination, cultivating curiosity, and inspiring a lifelong love for discovering all words have to offer. 

That’s why using imaginative play to get kids excited about reading is such a great idea! Teach your kids the joys of reading with this fun conversation idea as you step into the shoes of beloved storybook characters for a dinner the kids will never forget! 

Getting Started: Selecting Your Characters

Choose your favorite characters from your favorite books like Winnie the Pooh, Cat in the Hat, or Harry Potter! Explore which characters you might be able to embody for an evening or ones that could be fun and challenging roles to play. Perhaps one child dresses as Sherlock Holmes, swapping tales of mystery with another child dressed as Peter Pan or Alice in Wonderland. With every member of the family dressed as a character of their own, imagination and excitement are sure to ensue!

Playing the Part: Dressing Up & Reading Up

Once your family has selected their characters, it’s time to step into the shoes of the heroes, heroines, and magical beings you’ve selected. Read through the book your character is from to get a sense of what they wear, how they look, and how they act to help you play the part right. Pull together a costume that you’ll wear to dinner with clothing, accessories, and any extra styling you’ll need to bring your character to life.

Dinnertime: Conversing in Character

With parents and children alike transformed into beloved storybook characters, it’s time to take your seats and let dinner commence. Tell each other about your stories by speaking as your character. Tell the table a little about yourself, your likes, dislikes, friends, family, and history. After everyone has shared and explained who they are, ask each other questions to test each other’s knowledge of their characters or simply to get creative and dive deeper into role-playing fun.

Have Fun With Purpose

While you watch your children’s love for reading blossom before your eyes, remember that this exciting dinner is not just for fun and games. As children immerse themselves in the worlds of their favorite books, they unknowingly build reading comprehension skills by recalling details of characters’ lives and practicing empathy for the characters, at the same time improving their communication skills and critical thinking skills. Plus, they get to express themselves through improvisation and learn to articulate their thoughts and feelings with confidence and clarity.

Want more fun ideas and fun projects for reading readiness? Try these fun activities to teach kids reading skills in the kitchen!

Spice up your dinner with Homemade Garlic Knots!

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