by Linda Finnegan

Created on: June 24, 2010

"I hate to read” and “reading is boring” are common statements made by children today. Why is this? Most parents want their children to develop a real love of reading. This desire is also shared by their teachers. So if this is a shared goal, why doesn’t it happen in many cases?

The steps to helping children develop a love of reading aren’t rocket science but they do require commitment. Neither parents nor teachers can do it alone.

Parents are the first teachers of their children. Cuddling with picture books at an early age is a wonderful first step. Reading is associated with warmth, closeness, and fun. Parents often get tired of reading the same things over and over, but the result is worth the tedium. Have a good supply of indestructible books and make books presents for birthdays and Christmas.

Reading storybooks to toddlers is also important. It helps develop language and listening skills. Even toddlers can have favorite books. What parent hasn’t heard their little ones “read to themselves” by reciting favorite passages in beloved stories.

Reading to children can be a wonderful family time even with older children. Some parents read to children as part of their winding down before bed. Many classics lend themselves to this. Some classics have language that is difficult for elementary students to read themselves but when read aloud with expression they can fascinate their listeners. This also helps develop higher language usage in the children. Reading aloud shows children that reading is important and fun.

Studies have shown that children read more when they are allowed to pick their own materials. Trips to the library are very important. Libraries are especially important, not just for their volume and variety, but also because children need to experiment with their reading. Children need to be able to pick books and then reject them because of genre, style or content. Parents don’t like everything they read; children don’t either.  This is harder when books have been purchased. Not finishing books that cost $12 can irk parents and forcing children to finish something can work against the goal of loving books.

Parents need to provide time for silent reading for their children. Turning off the TV and video games for an hour each day so that children can read is invaluable. The wonderful thing is that oftentimes the hour will stretch to two when children get involved with their books.

Parents

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