January 08, 2016

Getting Your Kids to Read More

It’s that special time of year. One rife with resolutions, promises to do things bigger and better than ever before. For your kids, the big goal might be “get to May, so summer vacation can begin.” So how can we insert a little motivation in there in the meantime?

Reading is one of the very best ways to strengthen your child’s mind, imagination, focus, creativity, intelligence, vocabulary, knowledge…there’s nothing reading can’t do, as far as we’re concerned. (Washing the dishes, perhaps.) And in an age where there’s an unprecedented access to content, opportunities to interact with new and unique forms of content are more prevalent than ever. Maybe your kid isn’t a self-proclaimed reader, or maybe they are and you’d like to help them broaden their horizons. Here are a few tips for getting your kids to read more in 2016.

1. Do it with them. Reading is predominately seen as a solo endeavor, but what if you turned it into a family activity? There are so many ways to read and engage content with your children. Pick a book you’re both interested and read it separately but at the same time, chapter by chapter, discussing each one once you’re finished. You can even use the same book with different book marks. Or, read it aloud together! It’s such a fun way to share something with your child.
2. Book club it! How about a family book club? Each month someone in the family picks a book and everyone has to read it. Once you’re finished, you can cook a special dinner or go out to a favorite restaurant where you can discuss the book and what everyone thought. The great thing about this plan is that you can get all sorts of different subjects and types of books in there. Based on each individual’s interests, you’ll create a diverse learning experience that connects you to one another while fostering discourse and stronger communication.
3. Re-think the content. Reading doesn’t just have to mean traditional fiction. What about graphic novels, comic books, a literary magazine, poetry, a special-interest magazine, collection of short stories? Think outside the box and introduce your child to other types of written content. Who knows how you could spark their passion!
4. Make the bookstore a family date. Your kids aren’t going to know about different books, or types of reading opportunities unless they’re exposed to them. Take them to your favorite local bookstore and give them carte blanche to really explore. Doing it all together and stopping by the coffee shop afterward is a great way to get out of the house and do something different. The promise of a new book likely wouldn’t hurt either.

How have you encouraged reading in your household?