Situation: My
child doesn't like to read, and will only do the bare
minimum required to get though his homework. I know that
fluency in reading is important to his success in school.
How do I encourage him to read more often?
Think about it: You're right to be concerned. Reading is the
key to success in all school subjects. With a bit of
creativity you can help your child enjoy reading more, and
spend more time doing it!
Make it fun: Purchase or borrow a stack of "fun" books.
Choose books that will be relatively easy for your child to
read, in other words, those that are slightly below his
level of reading ability. Choose topics based on your
child's interests: baseball, horses, sleepover parties, wild
animals, insects, etc. Pick a mystery, a joke book, books
about current movie stars or athletes, even comic books.
Don't comment about the books; simply leave them lying on
the table where your child is sure to see them. To become a
great reader, a child needs lots of practice. If you can
find the types of books your child will be interested in
reading, he'll get the pure practice he needs to make other,
more complex, reading easier.
Let him browse the library: Allow your child to get his own
library card. Take him to the library and teach him how to
use the computers and the wide variety of resources
available. Many libraries offer classes to teach kids how to
use the resources. Make a routine visit to the library, and
make sure you go when you're not rushed, so he can take time
to explore.
Pick the right computer games: Take advantage of your
child's love of computer games to purchase those that
require a lot of reading to play the game. Avoid those that
are simply computerized video games.
Encourage bed-time reading: Buy your child a bedside reading
lamp, or a tiny book light. Tell him that from now on, he
must be in bed by a specific time (say 8:30) and that he can
either sleep or read. Most kids will do anything rather than
go to sleep, so there's a chance you'll create a new bedtime
reading habit.
Have reading material available: Many children will read
when they are sitting alone having a snack, or if they have
a few minutes of unplanned free time. Put a box of books and
magazines near the kitchen table so that reading material is
accessible.
Read to your child. Often, once children learn to read
independently, parents stop reading to them. This change of
routine causes great sadness to a child who has come to love
falling asleep as you read. Even a teenager will enjoy being
read to if you pick books that pique his interest. Select
books together, and make sure they're ones you enjoy as
well, so your enjoyment will come through as you read to
them.
Check it out: Some children don't like to read because they
have poor eyesight or an undetected learning disability.
Look for signs that there is a problem. Does your child rub
his eyes after reading? Complain of a headache? Become
easily frustrated or angry while trying to read? If you
notice any of these problems, make an appointment with your
pediatrician to have your child's health checked out, or
with an optometrist for a complete eye exam.
Elizabeth Pantley is the author of several books, including "Kid Cooperation", "Perfect Parenting, The Dictionary
of 1,000 Parenting Tips", and also "Hidden Messages", her most recent book. Introductions in all three of her books have been written by William Sears, MD.
Elizabeth is also president of Better Beginnings, Inc. A regular radio show guest, she has been quoted in Parents, Parenting, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, American Baby, Working Mother, and Woman's Day magazines.
This article was excerpted with permission by NTC/Contemporary
Publishing Group Inc. from Perfect Parenting, The Dictionary
of 1,000 Parenting Tips by Elizabeth Pantley, copyright
1999.
