As someone whose children complain about having to read, I was super excited to see Margo L. Dill of Editor-911 Books is discussing this topic in post four of her guest series. Thank you, Margo!
We want kids to read, and we don’t want to force them. We stress the importance of reading to them, but how do we get them to choose reading, to be excited about reading, to not say, “I don’t want to read,” when they have free time?
Here are a few dos and don’ts below!
DO show kids that you’re reading in your free time and talk about what you’re reading.
Leading by example is one of the best ways to show kids that reading is fun and important, and this includes taking them on “field trips” to the library and bookstores. If they see you reading (and laughing over a book or even crying at a sad part), they at least see that books are enjoyable. Plus, if you have fun when you go to libraries and bookstores, and maybe even spend some time reading a book together at either place, they will look forward to this special time, too. You can also talk about what you’re reading at the dinner table or while driving in the car. If your book has material that is not age-appropriate, you can figure out a way to talk about why you love the book without bringing in those topics!
DON’T use reading as a punishment or only as a homework assignment.
If the only time kids read is when they are “forced” to do so as part of a homework assignment (i.e., read 20 minutes a night) or when they have had screen time taken away or are grounded, then reading and good, positive feelings are not going to go hand-in-hand. Sure, kids need screen time limits, and there will be times you have to discipline them. But be careful in making this the only times you expect kids to read. If you hear your kids say things like, “Okay, now I guess you expect me to read,” maybe turn it around. “Reading would be great—want to read to me or the family dog?” Or even, “Want to have a picnic and read?” If you’re busy, children can get a blanket out, a book, and grab a snack to enjoy outside while flipping through the pages of a book.
DO provide different types of reading materials for children.
Reading does not have to be only with a book. It can be a traditional novel or picture book, graphic novel, magazine, baseball or Pokémon cards, a newspaper, a prompted journal, a devotional, or anything else with printed material that your child is interested in. You don’t always need to make sure your child is reading a book at their grade level either. If your goal is to instill a love of reading, then allow them to read (within reason) what is drawing their interest. For example, if a fifth grader wants to read his entire set of Magic Tree House books, go for it. There will be plenty of time for him to improve his reading skills and ability with school assignments and focused reading time, but for a love of reading? Let him revisit his old favorites!
DON’T criticize the choice of reading material children choose.
And this means that as much as we want to say to our third grader, “You are reading Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus again?” try not to. When your goal is enjoyment of reading, let kids read what they want, as mentioned previously, without judgement or too many limits from you.
DO engage in fun reading activities as a family.
Try reading a book together as a family—for younger kids, you can choose a picture book and do an art activity or baking activity afterwards. For older kids, choose a book to read together a few minutes every day. When you finish, if there’s a movie—watch it together and compare and contrast the movie and book, or each family member can decide which they like better. If the book takes place in a real place, could you plan a trip there—in person or virtually even? If it takes place in a fantasy location, then you and your kids could draw pictures or make a travel brochure for this place.
DON’T make reading an isolating event.
If your child is social, the problem with reading may be that you ask them to do it alone and quietly. This is nearly impossible for some kids—and they don’t like it. So it may not be that they dislike reading; it could be that they dislike being alone and quiet. You know your child best. If this description sounds like your child, then provide some choices for your child to read with a family member or next to a family member (if you want to teach them to read silently), read with a family pet, or read aloud to a group of stuffed animals or family pet.
DO know your child’s strengths and interests.
Your child will have strengths that will play into a love of reading—or not. Above, we noted that your child might have trouble with the solitude of reading, especially our extroverted, auditory learners. If your children like movement, how about allowing them to read a few lines of a story and then act them out? Make sure to have plenty of books that your child is interested in—again, this doesn’t have to be fiction. If your child loves dump trucks or black cats, there are nonfiction books about all these subjects and much more.
DON’T compare what your child does to anyone else’s.
This could be the biggest point of all. Your children are unique, and their love and appreciation for reading are also unique. Set realistic goals for your child and your family, and don’t worry that your neighbors’ children check out and read ten library books every week and yours can’t get through one. Create positive feelings about reading and around reading and make them individual to your children and family. That’s what will create a love of reading—stay away from the comparison trap.
There’s no magic formula to make kids want to read, and there’s a lot of competition for their time. But instead of simply stressing the importance of reading, make reading fun and like another hobby, such as sports, video games, crafts, or clubs.
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