Get Your Kids Reading In Three Steps By: Emily Decobert Reading is being stressed in schools and teachers tell parents to have their children to read more. The problem, they fail to tell exactly how to get the kids off the PlayStation and reading books. As a librarian, parents ask me how to get their children reading, especially in the summer when kids think reading and study is forbidden. I have come up with these three easy steps to help ease children into reading.Step 1: Create Reading Opportunities Kids usually come home from school and try to spend the whole evening watching TV. Parents can’t help but love the quiet, but the peace is bought with the high price of lost reading time. Instead, turn off the TV and take those games away. Now I know anarchy will ensue, so the parent must be prepared to fight back. Most important is to not force long TV less time on the kids. The first several times have it be no more than five to ten minutes. It isn’t so long the kids become resentful and it sets the pattern for daily reads. Step 2: Make Reading Fun The kids are now reading, but they are determined to be unhappy about it. Time for the parent to make reading fun. Kids love games and competing; we teachers use it all the time. Have the kids set goals and chart their progress. After they have met their goals, give them a reward, it may be no more than stickers or a ice cream treat. The kids are really working to beat their goals and more importantly, their siblings. Step 3: Take Your Kids to the Library Many kids act as if they had rather have their teeth drilled than go to the library because they only think of having to be quiet. It might take some arm-twisting, but take them anyway. Once there, let them explore. If they want to use the computers, let them. If they start having a good time at the library, even if they aren’t hitting the books, they are establishing the love of the place. This leads more naturally to them looking at the books and finding what they like. Once the library is no long ‘bad’, they will be more willing to get exciting books that they are eager to read. |