Every parent hopes that their kids grow up to be readers, right?
Sure above all, we hope our kids grow to be happy, law-abiding, well-adjusted human beings, but beyond that, wouldn’t it be nice if our kids were readers, too?
Wouldn’t it be awesome if our kids not only knew how to read, but they also really enjoyed reading, choose to read for pleasure, and loved talking to us about the books they’ve read?
Right. It’d be so awesome.
But it doesn’t have to be that far-off of a dream.
There are some things we can do at home–things that don’t cost a million dollars and don’t require all that much effort on our parts. Perhaps a deliberate decision to change, but it’s totally manageable.
Here’s the skinny. . .
- Top 2 Insider Secrets for Motivating Your Kids to Read: Having just finished a graduate course called Motivating Students to Read, this information is truly backed by a boatload of research.
It’s not rocket science.
It may not be surprising.
And you may not want to hear it.
But here it is:
What do you think?
Ready to take the plunge and really make a difference in your child’s reading?
Let me know–would this work for your child? Have you tried it?
Ah, this makes me feel so much better when I did a 2 day reading binge to read the first 5 book Percy Jacksons series. I did not do much around the house to help out that weekend. My kids and husband were a little annoyed but, hey, I don’t do this very often and now I can say I was modeling reading. 🙂
OH MIA! a 2-day reading binge?? you are a rockstar, Mama!!
I would agree wholeheartedly with all of this advice. Leading by example and sharing the experience are wonderful ways to nurture a love for reading.
Will it work?
There are no guarantees. I have three children and only one is what I would call a reader. I did everything to encourage and support them, even reading chapter books to them beyond their reading level. They saw me frequently devour books (sometimes as many as three a week) and I loved to read and discuss what they were reading, comparing characters, narrative plots, and such.
Whether the end result is adult readers isn’t the point. Relationship is. The child will grow up to love reading or not. I know many people who read but don’t love it the way my mother and I do. I know some people who never read anything except technical manuals. And it’s all okay.
I used to read a book a week but have really gotten away from it the past few years. I have an eager reader who is reading way below grade level (bless her heart, she’s a late bloomer like her sister was) and a very reluctant reader who is reading way above. I’m stopping off at the library tomorrow to model some reading for pleasure!
I just thought I’d say my mom did is a reader and she read to me all the way through high school. I use to hate to read now I read a lot. So keep it up moms you may not see it today but someday your faithfulness to you kids will show.
Mary!! Means a TON that you took the time to share this. Huge and happy thanks!! Three cheers for parents who read, read, READ!!!