Okay....she is posing for this picture I admit it!
I have talked to several mothers lately who express that they want their kids to be readers, but confess that they themselves are not readers. Though I don’t consider myself an expert on getting your kids to read, I do have a few ideas and am very proud of the fact that all of my kids are often found with a book in their face.
As with all the values we want our kids to learn we must demonstrate those same values. Your kids have to see you reading. It can be fiction or non-fiction books, newspapers or magazines but they must see you reading for enjoyment on a regular basis. If they see you reading a book for a collage class you cannot complain about having to read it. If you read a book you don’t like, explain why you don’t like it. It is okay not to like a book or a particular subject and expressing this is a great way for your kids to learn.
I firmly believe that Meg would have been a reader without this, but Hubby reading aloud to her made a huge impact on how she enjoys books. He started reading the Harry Potter series to her in the first grade and five years later she is obsessed with creative, imaginative books that have dragons in them! Read out-loud to your older kids. I think we tend to stop reading to them when they start reading themselves. Reading out-loud helps them learn more vocabulary, gives them time to imagine about what you are reading and is great for bonding and cuddling with your kiddos.
Mita was a reluctant reader when she first came home with us and is now reading up a storm. We have to find out what they like to read. I worked hard at finding what she liked and then made sure she always had access to them. She is fond of biographies and non-fiction and also graphic novels. It was a bit difficult to find graphic novels that were girl-oriented and age appropriate, but I did find several. I think that the fact she was able to finish the entire book, and yet still be entertained by the pictures built her confidence that she could read well, and taught her that finishing a book is fun.
Enu is the child I am working at hardest right now finding her something to read. She has attention issues. Meaning she cannot pay attention. She will read one chapter of a book, deem it dumb and not finish it. The only books that she seems to enjoy are the Junie B. Jones books. She will finish these books with encouragement, but if I am not paying attention to her she will read several of them all at once, meaning she will read a chapter of one and put it down then pick up another one and read it. While I’m happy she is reading, I don’t think this does much for her comprehension or her enjoyment level. I have found that Books on CD are an easy way to get her into a story. It helps her vocabulary and takes some stress away.
Then there is Elle. My baby. My girl who tends to get the short end of the stick when it comes to one on one time now. She loves to read big books with hard words. She insists she is reading them. I struggle with this as I want her to read books at her reading level, but I want her to be happy and proud of herself as well. So as she reads these books I try and fit in a few fun first grader ones that will interest her. Foster confidence in your kids. She has such an imagination I know that once she starts reading independently she will be a lot like Meg and read a lot. I still need to spend more time with her and books those.
Reading is so important for our kids. It teaches language and communication skills, but more importantly it fosters imagination and possibility in our kids.I would love to hear your advice and suggestions for getting our kids to read more and enjoy what they are reading. I will soon write a post with some book suggestions for kids.
