Raising Readers

One of the best things you can do to help your child grow and learn is to teach them to love reading. Below are some tips and tricks to encourage and not discourage your little brainiacs.

 

Don’t make reading a punishment

By associating reading with punishing your children, you're children will start to see reading as not fun and something they won't want to do, ever. By forcing your child to go to their room and read, you enforce this thought process and teach your child that reading is a punishment. Reading is not a punishment, so don't make it one.

Don’t degrade your kid's choices

Comic books, fantasy, or other types might not be your favorite, but they are most likely your kid's favorite. By saying "No, you can't read Steven King" even if your 7-year-old is sneaking it at night, you're not only saying no to a book, but no to reading. Allow their choices by doing your research and finding similar books you feel are more age appropriate.

Let your kids play with books, even if they can't read yet 

Don't ever tell a child they aren't actually reading a book. If you tell your kids they can't read, they will believe it. Let them pretend and make up stories for the words on the page by looking at the pictures. This activity will encourage the act of reading, and enforce that reading is play.

Is it the right level?

Think about how your kid responds to activities that are too hard. Same goes for books. If a book is too advanced, your child may become frustrated easily and quit. If a book is too easy, your child will become bored and quit. Check the level of a book before giving it to you child. Talk to your child's teacher for recommendations. Or go to the library and let your kids try different books and authors. Once you find an author they like, read every book by that author.

Practicing too much

Remember Hooked-On-Phonics... well it didn't work for me. It didn't work for a lot of kids. Wanna know why? It turned reading into work, with drills and practice routines. Don't force your child to read and reread text until they have it perfect. It will take the fun out of reading and they won't want to do it.

Only help if they ask for it and don’t interrupt if they miss a word, so long as the general meaning is there. If the meaning is off, ask them if there were any words that were new to them. This will help you get to the root of the problem. If it starts to happen a lot, pick an easier book or take turns reading. During your turn, they can read along and ask questions.

Give the gift of reading 

Gifts are special, and starting at birth books make the best gifts – especially if you read them with the person who gave them to you. Book fairs at schools are a great place for kids to get excited about books, and we use them as treats!

Read for fun 

Studies have shown that if parents usually read for fun, kids are more likely to read for fun, too. So pick up a magazine, the newspaper, your kindle, or one of your favorite books. Not only is it great parenting, but it's a great break from parenting, too!