Thursday 21 May 2015
How to Encourage Children to Read
Bob Docherty: 10 tips to encourage children to love reading
(From the NZ Book Council)
1. Read yourself. Have a variety of books in the home.
Reading begins in the home. If there are books in the home and adults are seen to read and value books then children will do the same. Don’t make it an ordeal. Reading is for pleasure and fun.
2. Read to your children.
Choose books that are more demanding than those they would read themselves. Use your adult voice as it gives reading respect and children will recognise this. Set a time each day that children remember and read them a variety of stories to discover what they like. Everybody loves to hear a story read aloud not just young children, so you can continue this with your children until they are at least Intermediate age. Give books as presents.
3. Set aside time for your children to talk about the books they are reading.
Children love to discuss what they are reading. And the techniques that teachers and writers use in the classroom can work just as well at home. A good first step is to know the stories and novels your children are reading. Children know when you are genuine. When discussing books with children, enthusiasm counts for a lot. If the children see you are enthusiastic then they will become enthusiastic too. These techniques can be used with children of all ages.
4. Look at blogs and websites that review children’s books and check out the library for inspiration.
Writers of children’s books are seriously good (and much better in my opinon than those writing for adults). Your local library and bookshops are other sources of expert opinion.
5. Encourage your children to read widely, not just one genre.
What children read – whether it is fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels or magazines – is not as important as the fact that they do read. However, it is good to encourage children to read widely and broaden their horizons.
6. Don’t skip YA fiction.
Book thiefFor the older reader, encourage them to try young adult fiction. This is often bypassed by teens who go straight to adult literature, which is a mistake in my opinion.
7. Encourage e-books and print books — both are great.
It is a matter of personal preference. E-books are the new technology and are able to store hundreds of books. Books can be downloaded and the thrill of this alone can attract a child to reading. Whether they read in print format or electronic doesn’t matter, as long as they are reading.
8. Never criticise your child’s reading material.
I never tell a child the book they are reading is rubbish or poor quality. All reading is valuable and the challenge is to encourage and lead them to better books.
9. Never give up.
Encourage and be enthusiastic about reading. Between the school years 7 to 10, many previously good readers might drift away from reading. It is a world-wide phenomenon and it worries educationalists and parents immensely. Cell phones, computer games and the whole online social media world engages children to the detriment of reading.
10. Remember reading is a great friend.
It is always for pleasure.
(From the NZ Book Council)
1. Read yourself. Have a variety of books in the home.
Reading begins in the home. If there are books in the home and adults are seen to read and value books then children will do the same. Don’t make it an ordeal. Reading is for pleasure and fun.
2. Read to your children.
Choose books that are more demanding than those they would read themselves. Use your adult voice as it gives reading respect and children will recognise this. Set a time each day that children remember and read them a variety of stories to discover what they like. Everybody loves to hear a story read aloud not just young children, so you can continue this with your children until they are at least Intermediate age. Give books as presents.
3. Set aside time for your children to talk about the books they are reading.
Children love to discuss what they are reading. And the techniques that teachers and writers use in the classroom can work just as well at home. A good first step is to know the stories and novels your children are reading. Children know when you are genuine. When discussing books with children, enthusiasm counts for a lot. If the children see you are enthusiastic then they will become enthusiastic too. These techniques can be used with children of all ages.
4. Look at blogs and websites that review children’s books and check out the library for inspiration.
Writers of children’s books are seriously good (and much better in my opinon than those writing for adults). Your local library and bookshops are other sources of expert opinion.
5. Encourage your children to read widely, not just one genre.
What children read – whether it is fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels or magazines – is not as important as the fact that they do read. However, it is good to encourage children to read widely and broaden their horizons.
6. Don’t skip YA fiction.
Book thiefFor the older reader, encourage them to try young adult fiction. This is often bypassed by teens who go straight to adult literature, which is a mistake in my opinion.
7. Encourage e-books and print books — both are great.
It is a matter of personal preference. E-books are the new technology and are able to store hundreds of books. Books can be downloaded and the thrill of this alone can attract a child to reading. Whether they read in print format or electronic doesn’t matter, as long as they are reading.
8. Never criticise your child’s reading material.
I never tell a child the book they are reading is rubbish or poor quality. All reading is valuable and the challenge is to encourage and lead them to better books.
9. Never give up.
Encourage and be enthusiastic about reading. Between the school years 7 to 10, many previously good readers might drift away from reading. It is a world-wide phenomenon and it worries educationalists and parents immensely. Cell phones, computer games and the whole online social media world engages children to the detriment of reading.
10. Remember reading is a great friend.
It is always for pleasure.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)