Create a Reading Aid

🎂 6 + years ⏱️ 20 min 📍 Anywhere ⭐ medium

Craft a fantastic reading aid together. You might wonder why a reading aid is so great. It's simple. Sometimes, while reading, your eyes can slip on the page, and you lose track of the line you're on. That can be really annoying, right? With the reading aid, that won't happen anymore! You will only look at the line you want to read, keeping you on the right track. This way, you can concentrate better and have more fun reading! This guide will help you step by step to create your very own reading aid.

What you'll need

A piece of old cardboard
Pencil
Ruler
Scissors
Colored plastic sheet

How it works

Find a piece of old cardboard. It doesn't have to be large, but it should be sturdy enough to hold its shape. Maybe you have an old box or packaging that you no longer need. The cardboard is great because it's firm and won't easily bend.
Place your favorite book on the table and grab the ruler. Now measure the width of your book. Your reading aid should be as long as your book. So: take the cardboard, place the ruler, and measure the length. You can draw the line on the cardboard with a pencil.
Now measure a strip in the middle of the cardboard that is as wide as a line in the book, about 1 cm. This strip will later be the 'window' through which you see the lines while reading. It should be as long as your book so you can always see a whole line.
Carefully cut out the strip in the middle of the cardboard. Make sure to leave a 1 cm wide border at the top, bottom, left, and right.
If you want, you can stick a colored plastic sheet behind the cut-out strip. This enhances the contrast while reading because it makes the lines stand out more clearly. Cut a piece of plastic to fit the hole and stick it on the back of the cardboard.
Now your reading aid is ready! Place it on the page of the book you are currently reading. The narrow strip in the middle helps you find the line, and the cardboard around it ensures that your eyes don't slip. This way, you can concentrate better and always stay on the right line.
With your homemade reading aid, reading becomes easier and even more fun! The reading aid helps you focus on the lines you are reading and also trains your concentration. Now it's your turn! Grab your crafting supplies and give it a try!