Gamify Your Reading Program
Reading Dragons and Friends is a fun way to motivate kids to build positive reading habits. This program levels the playing field for readers of any ability by rewarding them for the time they spend reading. We especially wanted to make this program approachable for children who find reading difficult. Kids can struggle with reading because of so many factors. Skills develop at different rates for each person, and if a person has something else working against them, like dyslexia, reading can be really hard work.The goal here is to motivate children to read regularly. In doing so they will be building up their reading skills brick by brick at their own pace, and find joy in reading.
Here is an amazing success story We have received from a parent.
“I cannot overstate how much I appreciate what these cards have done for my girl. Literally, she went from being 100% not interested in reading, and would fight us when we begged her to read just a few words per night. It’s understandable her reluctance, given her dyslexia, but it also felt important to keep trying with incentives. Because of your reading dragons, she became highly motivated for the cards, and started reading without any further encouragement from us. Now she is reading full middle school level chapter books, sometimes 35 pages a night. She is still motivated by the cards, but she actually enjoys reading as well.” -Desy
Reading Dragons and Friends is made for libraries by librarians. It is completely free to use by libraries of any kind. Over 400 libraries have access to this program in 42 states and 5 countries. The program was developed at Dover Public Library by Librarians Liz Strauss and Mallory Thompson. It has grown from the collaborative efforts of creative librarians from all over. Because of librarians like you we have added improvements like symbols to provide accessibility for color blind kids, activities, coloring pages, and so many new and amazing cards. We have over 900 cards!
Ok, so what actually are reading dragons and how do they motivate kids to read?
They are collectible playable cards featuring mythical creatures like dragons, unicorns, griffins and more. Children track the time they spend reading in 30 minute increments to earn cards. They can play games with the cards they collect and they can create their own cards. This program appeals to kids who enjoy things like Pokemon, virtual pets, trading card games, and mythical creatures. And it doesn’t have to be just for kids. Many of our collaborators run this program for patrons of all ages.
How do you get access to all of the printable and editable resources? Visit ReadingDragon.org We also have a Reading Dragons Facebook Group you can join!
You can use the tag #readingdragons or #readingdragonsandfriends when sharing the cool things you are doing with the Reading Dragons at your library!
I recommend reading the Getting Started page to follow a step by step guide through what you will need to do to use the Reading Dragons at your library.
We hope you enjoy using the Reading Dragons at your library!
If you have any questions please email Mallory at mthompson@doverlibrary.org
-Mallory & Liz