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How do you foster a LOVE of reading in a school aged child?

post #1 of 18
Thread Starter 

 

*sigh* I was an early reader as a child - 3 yrs old - and read voraciously...read to distraction, actually! Now, I don't expect my DDs to be as obsessed with books as I was (no one possibly could be)  but there's a definite lack of interest. I personally think it's because she has too many immediate gratification things to do...the computer, the tv, the DSi, playing. We limit screen time and they are ok with that, but now part of me wonders if we should get rid of the tv completely to encourage reading.

 

I tried making the amt of reading = the amt of screen time they would get. Sorta worked.

I go to the library with DDs and take books from all categories...science, art, crafts, history.......still, meh.

My DDs do a lot of activities, so I wonder if the non-reading is a form of down time...

 

How can I get a child to LOVE reading, not despise some of the tactics I use to get her to read?

 

Anyone who pulled the tv and has a btdt story, please share!

post #2 of 18

How old is your child?

 

You can't make a child like to read just as you can't make a child like to play sports or do dance.  However if your child is still in the early elementary years(K-Grade 3) be patient.  Keep modeling reading by reading to them & them seeing you read & if they have an interest in reading for fun then they will.  Some kids it takes until they're in Grade 3-4 before they get the reading bug.

 

I have 3 kids, we don't limit screen time much - mostly just the computer & that's more so they get equal time on it.  They are 9, 10 & 12 & all read for fun.  My middle one has the strongest interest in reading, she started reading when she was 4-5, she sleeps with books.  My oldest took until part way into Grade 1 to want to read & by Grade 2 was reading above grade level & started to get the reading bug.  My youngest is in Grade 3 & is just starting to get an interest but it really depends on the book.

 

For my oldest it was a princess book that got her interest which is funny because she's never been into princesses that much.  For my middle one reading gave her something to challenge her a bit when she was 4 & she started to teach herself to read.  For my youngest it was the Diary of a Wimpy Kid book being turned into a movie which made her want to read the book that started any real interest in her.

post #3 of 18
Thread Starter 

@CarrieMF - thank you for giving me hope.... thumb.gif

post #4 of 18

What's your 'reading routine'? My kids have to do a reading log at school with a certain number of minutes. While we aren't too worried about the actual number of minutes (did ds read 28 minutes or 30?), it has helped us build it into our routine. Books were always part of the bedtime routine, and we've just extended it a bit.

 

So, every night at bedtime the kids get their pjs on, have their snack and then read. Dd reads for 10 minutes, ds for 20. After their done with their portion of the reading, we read a chapter (sometimes 2 if they're short) of their current book together (dd first, then ds). They love this time, despite the fact that they're both much faster at reading silently. They then usually take their books with them to bed and will read after that.

 

For ds, that's all the reading he does during the day outside of school. But some nights he gets 60 minutes in. Others it's 30-40 total. I'm OK with that. Dd will often pick up a book in the middle of the day. She's a bit more sedentary overall.

 

The only other thing I would say is that it really helped my kids to read books that were slightly below their 'reading' level. For ds, he spent all of 3rd grade reading nothing but the Boxcar children books (there's like 120+ of them and they all have the same basic plot line). For dd, it was the evil Rainbow Magic books last summer. Both have now moved on, but they needed that time with very predictable stories to become really quick, fluent readers. Once they did that, then it was easier for them to read and so they were more likely to read for pleasure.

post #5 of 18

My DS is 6, and like my DH and myself, was an early reader.  He can read far above his age level--but just b/c he can doesn't mean he wants to.  He strongly prefers picture books, which is fine by me.  There are still plenty of picture books at the library that just have way too much text for him--he sees huge paragraphs and he loses interest.

 

DS does a lot of reading, although we don't have any sort of reading routine.  We also don't limit any media, but DS actually does a lot of reading while watching movies (we always have the English subtitles on b/c we're both sensitive to loud noises and a lot of movies seem to have poorly balanced sound, so we keep the volume low) and while playing computer games.  DS is a natural scientist, so when I go to the library, I'll check out books about a variety of sciences as well as a ton of fiction books.  He picks and chooses from the large stack I bring home what he wants to read.  Sometimes he'll just flip through, looking at the pictures; other times he'll read the whole book; and sometimes, he'll take one look at the cover, decide he doesn't care for the art style, and refuse to even open it.  I'm fine with all of that, so he's never pressured to read. 

 

DS knows I'm happy to read out loud to him (which I used to do all the time until he was around 4 and wanted to read by himself).  He almost always chooses to read silently to himself these days, but when he just doesn't want to put forth the effort, he'll ask me to read to him while he cuddles up next to me.

 

Until recently, though, I'd say his favorite thing to read was the Lego Catalog.  Or at least, that's what he got most excited about reading.  He's a Lego maniac.  We also have a subscription to Highlight's High Five, but DS definitely enjoys the hidden picture type activities more than the stories.

 

His current obsession is Garfield.  I had no idea there were over 40 collections of comic strips!  The Garfield books are the one exception to his reading silently.  For some reason, DS always reads the comic strips out loud.  He'll spend about an hour reading through one book, and then revisit it throughout the next week or two before he's ready to move on to the next one.

 

So my best advice is to try to get reading material that your DDs are interested in, no matter the subject or the format.  And lay off the pressure.  Most of the posts I read on MDC from families trying to cut screen time down aren't interested in getting their kids to replace screen time with reading--they want their kids outside playing.  As a fellow bookworm, though, I can understand why you'd like to foster a love of reading in your kids.  But I'm a firm believer in not having everything you read be high quality literature.  I know I enjoy reading "fluff," so I assume DS does too.  In fact, DS has zero interest in reading something just to learn.  But he's happy as a clam if he wants to read something, and by reading it he happens to learn interesting things.

 

Anyway, DH and I spend a lot of time reading (from news online to library books), and we've always got lots of books around (some we bought, but most are on loan from the library).  DS sees us enjoying reading every single day, and we've always got a good variety of reading material on hand.  We've provided a reading-rich environment...it's up to DS to choose to read.

post #6 of 18
Ease up. If you make reading the chore she has to do to get to what she wants to do, you're giving her a message.

Read to her - really cool books. I suggest The Borrowers or consult with your local librarian.

And let her see you reading and acquiring books enthusiastically. studies have shown one of the biggest factors in kids reading is whether their parents do.

And finally, be prepared that your kid may not have the same passion you do.
post #7 of 18

My ds doesn't love reading to himself yet, but he loves being read to.  I pick books I think he will enjoy and we go up to bed early so we can get a good hour, or even two, of reading done.  He was a late reader (started at age 8 but got to grade level pretty quickly) and didn't even like being read to much until he was maybe 6.  Through being read to, he has learned books are much better than the movies (thank you, Harry Potter).  Books can have so much more depth, detail, and nuances.  I never "make" him read to himself.  That has been developing naturally when he needs to read for information (on the computer, lego catalogs, etc).  I'm happy that he now appreciates books.  Just listening to books being read is very helpful for developing reading comprehension, visualization skills, attention span, vocabulary, etc.

 

I know that any attempts to get ds to read on his own through rewards or whatever would backfire.  He doesn't respond well to those tactics.  So I just concentrate on reading being an enjoyable time together and I feel that is working very well.  

post #8 of 18

My library has this poster and it makes me laugh.

 

 

http://www.hbook.com/pdf/articles/13ways.pdf

Quote:
Unlucky Arithmetic
 
Thirteen Ways to Raise a Nonreader
BY DEAN SCHNEIDER AND ROBIN SMITH
 
1 Never read where your children can see you.
2 Put a TV or computer in every room. Don’t neglect the bedrooms and kitchen.
3 Correct your child every time she mispronounces a word.
4 Schedule activities every day after school so your child will never be bored.
5 Once your child can read independently, throw out the picture books. They’re for babies.
6 Don’t play board games together. Too dull.
7 Give little rewards for reading. Stickers and plastic toys are nice. Money is even better.
8 Don’t expect your children to enjoy read- ing. Kids’ books are for teaching vocabulary, proper study habits, and good morals.
9 Buy only 40-watt bulbs for your lamps.
10 Under no circumstances read your child the same book over and over. She heard it once, she should remember it.
11 Never allow your child to listen to books on tape; that’s
cheating.
12 Make sure your kids only read books that are “challenging.” Easy books are a complete waste of time. That goes double for comic books and Mad magazine.
13 Absolutely, positively no reading in bed.
 
 

 

post #9 of 18

I'm sure you've heard these suggestions before, but maybe one or more will strike a chord with your family--

 

Get each child their very own library card and let them choose their own books at the library

When they are old enough, get the kids their own book light for reading in bed

Make sure they see you reading 

Read to them, even after they are old enough to read independently

Get some joke books

Mad Libs

Comic Books

Get them blank books to make their own

Audio books 

Story times at the library

Get them 'hooked' on a series of books

There are some reading websites online if your kids enjoy screen time (Starfall jumps to mind-- there are many!)

 

Relax and have fun!

 

 

 

post #10 of 18

We put my oldest ds in bed about 30-45 minutes earlier than he usually falls asleep and that's when he does his reading.  He rarely reads during the day but there are some nights we go up to his room to make sure his light is out and he's been reading for 90 minutes!  Sometimes, it's a lot of trial and error to see where his reading interest lies.  Right now he likes to read "easier" chapter books because he likes the idea of finishing the book in 1-2 sessions.  We still read to my oldest dd as she is just starting to read on her own but she already looks at books when she's tucked into bed.  That's when I do most of my reading too smile.gif.

post #11 of 18

Here's what turned my lukewarm DS into a reading machine. I went to the library by myself and would check out, like 30 different books. Graphic novels, comics, funny ones, fantasy, etc. Then I put eight or ten of them next to his booster in the car. Never said anything about it, but lo and behold, he started reading by himself and really enjoying it. Along the same lines, at 7:30 he has to be in his room, and then I come in at 8 to read to him. I started leaving a huge stack of library books on his bed.

 

So for us, it was when he didn't have a lot of other options. Now he's obsessed with Percy Jackson and Harry Potter and will choose reading.

 

Good luck!
-e

post #12 of 18

Have a routine where you read to her everyday. Make it so it's not connected to screen time. 

It's just what you do at that time of day.

Have an additional family reading time where everyone has there own books and reads (or looks at books) Sunday afternoon after lunch is a great time for this.

Reading to them should not stop once they can read. Reading to our kids should happen for as long as they enjoy it. 

post #13 of 18

    


It's not something I would try to force or enforce (as in x minutes of reading time buys you x minutes of computer time), but rather read out loud, model reading and talk about how much you enjoy it, turn to books instead of the computer to learn facts, try out different books until you find one that really clicks with your dc.  For my dd (like a pp's dc) it's been Garfield that's really gotten her much more into reading.  TBH I wouldn't worry too much about finding works of great quality at this point - anything that inspires interest is fine IMO.

 

post #14 of 18
Thread Starter 

Thank you all for the fantastic ideas! I never really thought about having to cultivate a reader (becasue of my own childhood) - I will try a few of the above suggestions (extending the reading time at night, graphic novels/comics, etc. - not worried about quality at this stage) I love the idea of easier chapter books - never thought of that!

 

and I LOVE the library poster! Awesome :)

post #15 of 18

dd didnt become a reader herself till middle of first grade when reading became easier for her (some inner thing clicked). she did all the schoolwork and was on par with school but found she was putting in too much effort to read beyond what she had to. 

 

she however has always enjoyed books since an infant. however at bedtime instead of reading to her i'd tell stories as reading would put me to sleep. 

 

so i'd say her interest in reading started with being interested in stories from the get go. nothing really to do with books - but just fantasy itself. fiction. the world it takes her to. as a child we'd make up stories all the time (my favourite was the hidden world in the cracks of the sidewalk). at 19 months she made up a series on a family of butterflies in the forest. we walked a lot and she told stories as she walked - making up stories of what was around her. 

 

i dont limit any time for her though. she watches a lot of anime (3rd grade) too. and argues with me that they are as important to her as books (i'd have to agree with her coz the content creates an interest - like her last set was about cooking contest and we now bake a lot at home, as well as a lot of japanese as they are in japanese and she has to read the subtitles). 

 

i think part of her interest was coz she sees how much i read. or her dad reads. today she is a voracious reader (she is not the read half an hour everyday child - but rather read the whole book at one night kinda girl and then no reading till she finds another interesting book). she is extremely selective about reading - the content and the writing has to be interesting. she has picked up a lot of books only to put them aside. 

 

once she started reading independently i dont read to her anymore (reading a book aloud is like a sleeping pill for me). 

post #16 of 18
I would consider turning off the tv and computer, except, say one night a week. Or getting rid of entirely.

Your child will then crave another sort of amusement.

I would not do a quid pro quo ... You read one book, you get one movie. Too controlling. Instead create your world where print not screen media flourishes.
post #17 of 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by GuildJenn View Post

Ease up. If you make reading the chore she has to do to get to what she wants to do, you're giving her a message.

Read to her - really cool books. I suggest The Borrowers or consult with your local librarian.

And let her see you reading and acquiring books enthusiastically. studies have shown one of the biggest factors in kids reading is whether their parents do.

And finally, be prepared that your kid may not have the same passion you do.


That.

 

What we do: we go to the library a few times a month and they check out whatever they want, I don't limit this at all.  We read every night before bed, I read to them or sometimes ds1 reads to himself.  They see me read books myself all the time.  And we don't force it.  If we hear them say they're bored, yeah we might say "go read a book" but we certainly don't make them.  We do limit screen time during the week, but weekends are basically a free for all.
 

 

post #18 of 18

My mom read to me until I no longer lived at home.  DP reads to me most nights (and has for over 10 years).  We listen to audio books in the car.  I love *books* and i think the love of books/stories is *more* important that the "reading."  So I would say read aloud, (all the time).

 

 

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