by First Mate Keira, guest blogger.
Are you frustrated that your child isn’t interested in reading? Have you tried everything you can think of and need help? Don’t worry! You still have options. Read on for nine ways to encourage your young readers.
1. Be a reader yourself.
If you don’t read how can you expect your child to want to read? The best thing you can do is to be seen reading and reading a lot. Share your love of reading by making that love known to your kids. They will gradually become readers themselves as they see how much you enjoy it.
2. Take them with you when you go to the library.
Don’t tell them to get books, but make sure they keep company with you while you browse. Eventually, they will get bored and wander off to find something for themselves. If not, don’t worry there’s always next time!
3. Read to them.
Only do this if you’re interested in young adult fiction yourself, otherwise it will seem like a chore and that’s not the attitude you want to instill in your child. You can read to them at bedtime, on road trips, or even at school (be sure to check with the teacher first and that you sign up as a volunteer.)
4. Find books your kid will like.
Does your child have a special interest? Are they interested in space? Get books that feature it! Both fiction and non-fiction. You want them to read books with topics that appeal to them; not books that make them unhappy.
5. Encourage audio books.
If you suck at reading, encourage them to listen to audio books. Even if you don’t suck at reading, encourage audio books. Your child might be more interested in books with rich vocalizations that act out the story than trying to read it for themselves.
6. Buddy reading.
Pair up with another parent and get your kids together. Pick a spot (house, library, park, etc.) to meet and bring the books. Your kids can read side-by-side companionably, take turns reading aloud, or listen to an audio book together. Reading doesn’t have to be solitary – it can be fun and done with others!
7. Offer incentives.
Build a program with your child. Find what works for you. Think Pizza Hut Book-it program. Set a goal and when it’s met reward your child. Go out for pizza, ice cream, rent a movie, go to the movies, go to the park, have a sleepover, buy a toy. Then raise the goal a tiny bit so your young reader can grow.
8. Ban TV, Internet, and Video Games.
Take a day every week and ban TV, computer and internet time, and video games. Call it Energy Conservation Day if you want to be sneaky about it. During this time let them find ways to entertain themselves. Chances are books are going to be one of the first things that come to mind.
9. Don’t force it.
Above all don’t force reading. If you do, reading will be forever associated with bad memories. It’s like root canal that way. Be patient. Some people are readers. Some are not. Let your child find a love for books on their own in their own time. It’ll happen.
Keira runs a book review blog for readers by readers on romance novels entitled Love Romance Passion. She’s been reading romance since she was in her teens and began blogging about romance so she could share her passion for her favorite genre. She loves reading paranormal, Regency, historical America, and highlander most of all and completely adores blind and wounded heroes.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
My children are great readers, and I’ve used all these techniques with the exception of 7 & 8 (probably because if you start reading to them young enough, those two aren’t as necessary).
@Jeanne – Getting them when they’re young is a very smart move. I’ve heard of parents who kept their kids away from TV/Computers/Video Games when they were little to encourage reading. I think it works great too when they’re older and think they’re too cool to read.
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