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Advice for Raising Children Who Love to Read
By Shari Nielsen
As tutors, we are often asked how parents can motivate their kids to become better thinkers, readers, mathematicians, etc.
Here’s some advice you can offer parents regarding helping their children become better readers from a very young age:
1. Let them see you reading – a LOT! Read for information, read for enjoyment, read at all times of the day and make sure they see you reading and they see you having fun.
2. Read to them – even when they are already fully capable of reading to themselves. Let them listen to the different voice inflections, the change of pace, the excitement in your voice, etc. Let them remember how it felt to be a little kid, cuddled up next to you, listening to their favorite story for the 100th time!
3. Set time for silent reading for the entire house. Everything shuts down for a certain period of time – even if it is just for 10 min. No phone, no tv, no food, no talking…Just relax and read something fun.
4. Discuss what everyone read. A lot of poor readers will go through the motions, reading words but never understanding what they read. Make sure your kids understand how important comprehension is. Otherwise, reading is a waste of time. Plus, it is a great way to show that you are interested in what they are doing.
5. Maintain a library of books and magazines that are varied and easily accessible to everyone in the family.
6. Make frequent trips to the library. I am always amazed at how many programs are going on there for all different ages and interests. It is not just a place to find and return books. Get your kids involved.
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