10 Important Tips for Getting Children to Read
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
A child who reads becomes an adult who reads. Most adults who begin reading at an early age continue to learn by reading throughout their lives. Reading is more than a necessary skill – it’s a source for learning, entertainment, enjoyment and comfort. The skill of reading can be one of the most valuable gifts that you give to your – or any – child.
Still, the question remains: How do you get children to read? There are so many distractions in today’s world – television, cartoons, and video games, to name a few – that it may seem impossible to get your children to sit down and read, let alone turn them into reading enthusiasts. As a mother who has raised five avid readers, I can tell you that it’s nowhere near as hard as you might think. Here are ten important tips for getting your children to read – and loving every minute of it.
1. Let them see you read.
I’ll bet you thought that #1 would be “Read to them”, didn’t you? That’s important (and it will get its own tip), but the single most important thing you can do to raise children who love reading is to be a reader. It doesn’t matter if you read magazines, newspapers or books. What is vital is that your children, from an early age, see reading as a valuable and fun thing to do – and the best way to show them that is to read in front of them.
2. Read to your children regularly.
Bedtime stories are an enduring childhood ritual, but don’t stop reading when your kids outgrow being tucked in at night. In our house, we made nightly reading a part of our evening – not at bedtime, but in the living room. Even when they reached their teens, my kids would often wander out into the living room to listen if I was reading to younger brothers and sisters.
3. Talk about what you read.
I am not suggesting that you should give your kids a reading comprehension quiz every time you read a story to them. Instead, get used to talking about the books that you read in casual conversation. Mention how excited you are that your favorite writer has just published a new book. Ask them how they think Ramona (or Harry Potter) would handle a situation. Remind them about scenes in stories that you read to them when you run into similar scenes in real life.
4. As soon as they’re old enough, get them a library card.
Your public library is still the very best source of reading material. Take your kids to the library often. Hang out with them in the kids’ room and let them choose their own books. Get them familiar with the librarian, and let them see other people enjoying books.
5. Make a big deal of their personal writing.
Writing gives kids an appreciation for the written word and deepens their enjoyment of reading. When children and teens start writing their own stories, they stop viewing books as something magical and unusual, out of their reach. If your children write, treat their writing as you would any other book. Buy them a journal. Help them create and bind their own books. Put their books on the bookshelf next to their bought books.
6. Subscribe to children’s magazines.
Books are fun, but magazines offer a different kind of reading and engagement. Too often, even we adults only consider it “reading” if it’s in a book. Magazines are colorful, topical and fun. Many children who consider reading a chore when the reading comes in book form will eagerly snatch their favorite magazine from the post box the moment it arrives and not put it down till they’ve read every last page.
7. Make books and magazines accessible – in every way.
Buy books and magazines for your kids as gifts. Make sure that there are books around the house in places that are easy for them to reach. Make sure, as well, that the books you choose are accessible – written for the right age level, and geared to their interests.
8. Institute family reading time.
When your kids start thinking they’re too old for read-aloud, institute a family reading time. It can be as little as twenty minutes a day, or an hour two or three nights a week. The only rule is that everyone in the family participates – shut off the televisions and computers and everyone reads.
9. Show an interest in what they’re reading.
The single most valuable reward for most kids is attention from their parents – so pay attention when your kids read. Notice it when they read a book that you remember. Ask them what the story is about. Talk to them about the books that they like.
10. Watch movies based on books – and then read the books together.
The other way around may work as well. Television and movies don’t have to be the enemy. When you read Charlotte’s Web, rent the video and watch it together – then talk about how well it captured the book. Or reverse the process – watch Harry Potter, then read the book together and talk about how much more depth there is in the book. Either way, you’re fostering a critical eye and showing your children that behind every movie or television show is a writer and often, a book.
Watch the video related to children books
Help answer the question about children books
Can you recommend life lesson books for children?Hi !
I wanted to know if anyone has read or know of life lesson books for children.
I am looking for books for parents to read that has to do with what a child needs to know at different stages in their life.
Thank You.
About Author
Grant Eckert is a freelance writer who writes about children’s education, similar to what consumers read in National Geographic for Kids
January 14th, 2004 at 11:29 am
it’s almost like a photo
great painting 
January 14th, 2004 at 12:19 pm
dude, you own! this looks identical to a photograph
January 14th, 2004 at 11:08 am
that is a great suggestion so long as you are talking to someone who is just trying to get pregnant. I hope that you are not directing this at someone who has been trying for a while…I have to say that after three years of trying I would laugh in your face if you gave me this list…not cause I am trying to be mean but because these are soo obvious and just a daily task at that point…and by the way…enjoyable sex is really hard to do when it is one of the most emotional things that you do…your future hinges on it and it isnt fun anymore.
January 14th, 2004 at 11:22 am
I had received this e-mail from a friend, and forwarded it everyone I knew (male and female), how very excellent that you posted it, this way the word really gets out…So many more people here reading Y/A than my e-mail, and I had not even thought about posting it here…good for you.
We do appreciate your bringing it to the masses…thank you
January 15th, 2004 at 2:34 am
Awesome work Williamsshamir
Great video.
Much love Kat
January 15th, 2004 at 7:39 am
You have some strong valid points here. I can't say that I agree with all of your post, but you have a lot of strong arguments. First, yes I agree the family court system is very sexist. Men typically only get custody if the parents agree that its the best option over if the mother is proven unfit due to abuse or drug use. In a fair legal system, the court's would take into account: personal character, financial status, environmental/social influences that may positively/negatively impact a child growing up in either household, etc…. before deciding which parent should have primary custody. Also, typically when father's have "joint custody, they have their kids either every other weekend, or every weekend at the most. This doesn't give the father equal time with his children, and therefore sends the message that his time with his chiildren is of less value than the mother's.
As far as education, I have read studies that have shown that boys suffer educationally due to lack of physical activity in schools. However, I think the biggest problem in relation to boys' poor academic performance has more to do with social values and pressure. Girls are encouraged by their peers, relatives etc.. to excel to gain privileges that their mothers and grandmothers never had. At the same time boys, are discouraged from academic success and the emphasis with the goes toward athletic success, which does nothing for their futures. Society regards girls who academically excel as being ambitious, while boys are ostracized and made social outcasts for reaching the same level of success. Therefore, I think the bigger concern here is social values, and not academic structure.
You are right that boys who grow up without their fathers in their lives are more likely to have problems with the law later in life and are more likely to drop out of school. The same is true for girls too And additionally, girls who grow up without their fathers in their lives are more likely to become teen mothers.
As far as institutions set up to transform boys. I don't see that. I do know that boys who further their education by attending college institutions, typically grow up to be more androgynous, empathetic, well-rounded, tolerant of others, and demonstrate greater social maturity, but that is a GREAT thing, not something negative. Therefore, when you talk about feminization, I look at that trend as a good thing. Plus, its not really feminization, its a move towards becoming more androgynous, which like I said above leads to greater social maturity, compassion for others, tolerance, etc….
Lastly, I want to touch on what you said about teen suicide among boys. You're right that boys are more likely to carry out a successful suicide compared to girls. I'm not sure that the percentage of teen girl who ATTEMPT suicide is all that different from the percentage of teen boys that do. I'm not sure so I'd have to double-check the statistics on that. But like, I said you're right that boys carry out more successful suicides. A big reason for this though has to do with the methods used. Teen boys use more violent, full-proof methods that involve firearms, etc…, while teen girls typically attempt suicide using methods that are more likely to fail like drug overdoses.
I'm glad their there are men out that who stand up for our nation's sons and fathers. Have a great weekend.
January 15th, 2004 at 3:28 pm
véiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii, que difuu
January 15th, 2004 at 3:52 pm
wich program he is for doing this ? beside a tablet ofc
January 15th, 2004 at 9:28 am
Wow I have never let my kids play in them and now I'll make sure that no one will let their children play in them. That gave me another smack in the face about the things people do these days. THANKS!!
January 15th, 2004 at 7:57 pm
Oh my gosh…
I love this, how true…
January 16th, 2004 at 5:20 am
i use photoshop
January 16th, 2004 at 1:59 am
Oh hunnie! I’m really really sorry for you loss. I couldn’t imagine going through that experience. You are so strong to be handling it this well. I like your mindset. You are staying as positive as possible when most people would just hunker down and take the beating that life sometimes thrusts upon us. For that I admire you more than you know.
First off, you are not selfish at all for wanting your own child. I completely understand. My husband and I TTC for 2.5 years and we were at a wits end. He suggested adoption one time and I broke down because as much as I would love to give a child a proper home, I also wanted to experience everything for myself. So I do understand the need and the want. You are not alone in that.
I also know how it feels to be jealous of your friends who are pregnant anc do have children. I was there. I nearly gave up numerous times. I even threw up my hands and told God that I was losing control and he needed to take over. Which, although I am not really a religious person, I think that helped. To let someone else (even if they aren’t real) take over.
Now, I am praying that you are pregnant as we speak, but if not, then do not give up. You will get your time, and I know that sounds cliché, but it’s the truth. I am a firm believer in everything happens for a reason.
If for some reason you aren’t pregnant, why not see a professional about this. One of my good friends is an army wife and she absolutely adores her doctors, so I know there can be good ones on base. But why not get their advise. Sometime you need that extra help to get you there. They could do insemination on you where they can literally place the sperm into your fallopian tubes, and they can also discuss different options with you. I really think it might help, and it may teach you some stuff about your body. I know my infertility treatments taught me loads about my body.
Just know that whatever happens, you are in our thoughts.
Best of wishes always,
Kristen
January 16th, 2004 at 9:00 am
A-W-E-S-O-M-E your works is very awesome! cool!!!! very good
January 16th, 2004 at 11:33 am
Oh, that's just great. Why would You give up all this secret info? I thought us parents stuck together? why wouldn't you want all these people to suffer the way we did? Soooooooooo true though, it's funny!
January 17th, 2004 at 12:24 am
HOLY CRAP! Comparing this to the original picture, they’re identical!
January 17th, 2004 at 6:51 am
awesome stuff man,….ama practice hard to get to yo level!
January 17th, 2004 at 12:51 am
January 17th, 2004 at 9:47 pm
I believe that these stories are bs, however i also believe that ball pits are a danger for different reasons. Children can disappear under the balls leaving them invisible to older children and they are at risk for being stepped on or worse. Also I love children but they are gross! lets face it. They don't always have the best control over their bodies and when they get excited they can pee or poop. They want to play even whe they are sick leaving them vulnerable to vomiting in the worst places. Ball pits are germ pools period!!