With competition from televisions, tablets and video games, books are often overlooked by kids — even those who are excellent readers — as a way to entertain themselves.
But with a little support, guidance and encouragement from their parents, children can see what wonders a book can hold, and learn to enjoy reading for fun.
Like every other aspect of parenting, leading by example is the first part to encourage reading, said Jessica Dennes, Reading Seed coach manager and trainer.
“I would suggest for parents to model what it means to read for fun,” Dennes said. “It could mean reading together or letting your child actually see you reading. That’s definitely the first part.”
Dennes says reading together and discussing what you have read is more fun for children, and makes it something they look forward to. “That could be more fun than ‘Hey go to your room and read by yourself,’” she said. “That together time is linked to a more enjoyable time than just having them read alone.”
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Reading to her children at a young age is what has worked for Lisa Warne, a mother of five. “It’s an organic thing that grows as they age and read more,” Warne said. “I’ve seen the proof.”
The Pima County Public Library suggests that having your children read to you is also beneficial, even if they are “reading” the pictures.
Reading with expression and movement to bring the story alive, and “having fun with the book,” makes reading time more exciting, Dennes said.
Kelly Slachter, a mother of two, agrees.
“We take turns reading,” Slachter said. “If you start a book and read it aloud, making up funny voices for the different characters, the book comes to life, and my girls love to read along.”
Another major motivator is to read what your child wants to read. “If it’s something they’re interested in, they’re more likely to stay engaged than if it’s something they’re forced into,” Dennes said.
That’s a strategy Kristi Pallack, a mother of one, employs.
“Comic books,” Pallack recommends. “Or, if they’re into gaming, books about the game — either manuals or novelizations.”
Most importantly, making reading a positive experience, rather than focusing on what they’re doing wrong and correcting every word will keep children more motivated to read, Dennes said.
“If the parent is so focused on what they’re doing wrong, it’s not motivating. It’s not fun and the child thinks it’s something they can’t do,” Dennes said. “We try and make sure our (Reading Seed) coaches make sessions engaging and positive. We’re not teachers to show what they’re doing wrong. We’re just motivating them to love reading.”
If a child is struggling with certain words, Dennes suggests using prompts to have them check themselves, such as asking if it makes sense, so they can correct themselves, rather than immediately pointing out what’s wrong.
