A Homeschooler’s Reading List for the Holiday Season: Building Emotional Intelligence and Hands-On Learning
The holiday season offers a great opportunity to incorporate a thematic reading list into homeschooling routines. With the right books, you can spark engaging conversations, develop emotional intelligence, and inspire hands-on projects that bring stories to life. Here’s a list of recommended reads and ideas on how to use them in a project-based learning approach for a meaningful holiday experience.
1. Books About Gratitude and Giving
Teaching children about gratitude and giving back is especially relevant during the holiday season, and books can be an effective way to introduce these values.
Suggested Reads: The Thankful Book by Todd Parr, Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, and The Quiltmaker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau.
Hands-On Project: After reading, children can create a “Gratitude Journal” where they write or draw one thing they’re grateful for each day. For a group project, create a family “Gratitude Tree” by adding paper leaves with things each person appreciates.
Through these books and activities, children not only learn about gratitude but also develop empathy, a core component of emotional intelligence.
2. Stories from Around the World
The holiday season is a great time to explore different cultures and traditions. Books that showcase global holiday customs broaden children’s understanding of the world and foster respect for diversity.
Suggested Reads: The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola, Diwali: Festival of Lights by Rina Singh, and Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story by Angela Shelf Medearis.
Project-Based Learning Idea: Children can create a world map with markers for each tradition they read about. As a hands-on project, they can make crafts, decorations, or simple foods inspired by these traditions, giving them a tangible connection to different cultures.
This activity encourages kids to see themselves as part of a global community, building cultural awareness and curiosity.
3. Stories About Kindness and Empathy
Books that highlight kindness can help children understand the power of compassion and empathy—both crucial for emotional intelligence.
Suggested Reads: Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss.
Hands-On Project: After reading, children can work on a “Kindness Project” by doing one kind act each day, such as making cards for friends, helping a neighbor, or baking treats for family members. They can keep a “Kindness Journal” to reflect on how their actions made others feel.
Through reading and hands-on kindness activities, children build empathy and learn the impact of positive actions.
4. Books That Spark Creativity and Imagination
Books that encourage children to dream and create are perfect for wintertime, especially when accompanied by a hands-on activity.
Suggested Reads: Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, The Mitten by Jan Brett, and The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.
Project-Based Learning Idea: Inspired by Snowflake Bentley, children can make paper snowflakes or learn about the science of snow crystals. For The Mitten, they could create a mitten using yarn or paper and explore animal habitats in winter.
These creative projects give children a chance to experiment, build fine motor skills, and explore science, all while bringing their favorite stories to life.
5. Reflective Stories for New Year’s Inspiration
The end of the year is an ideal time for children to reflect on personal growth and set goals for the future.
Suggested Reads: What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada, Dreamers by Yuyi Morales, and The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi.
Hands-On Project: Encourage children to create a “Dream Board” with images and words that represent their hopes and goals for the new year. They can also write letters to their future selves about what they want to learn or accomplish.
These books and activities help children think about their aspirations, inspiring both self-awareness and resilience.
Closing Thoughts
With these books, you can turn the holiday season into a time of learning, empathy, and creativity. By using project-based learning and hands-on activities inspired by stories, children can develop their emotional intelligence and connect more deeply with the books they read. This reading list not only encourages literacy but also helps build a range of skills and values, creating a holiday season that’s memorable and meaningful for homeschool families.
