I Love to Read Resource Material
Research on reading generally agrees that the most critical aspect of reading is how a child feels about reading. Positive reinforcement from parents and teachers can make a big difference. Children need to know that adults in their lives care about reading.
Studies also agree that forcing a child to read will yield negative results in most cases. Most children shouldn't be required to read each day, especially if it's forced reading for pleasure. Some families find that reading time when the whole family reads can work. Even if the child is reluctant, he knows the time is reserved for reading. Let him choose to read light material if nothing else. Also, consider incorporating book allowances. Even if the allowance allows purchasing one paperback book or magazine weekly, you've helped with reading. For more information, see our I Love to Read Magic Program.
Invest in Reading Resources
- Regular visits to a good magazine rack and purchases provide reading material. Parents will probably want to exercise some judgment on reading purchases. Still, magazines your child shows interest in and which you approve of are excellent ways to provide material and encourage reading.
- Subscriptions to a magazine or magazines for your child or student are a good idea. There's a certain amount of excitement in "ownership"; receiving mail is very exciting for many students.
- Attend used book sales at libraries and other places where good books can be inexpensive.
Parental Involvement is Important
- Model reading. Children who see their parents reading often become readers and accept that reading is a matter-of-fact activity.
- Don't be afraid to read aloud if your child is willing, whatever their age. Reading to children is one of the best ways to encourage interest in reading. Older brothers and sisters can read to younger children. If your child is too old to read, read articles aloud from the newspaper occasionally.
- Recommend books to your child. Tell the child how difficult the books are and let the child decide whether to read them.
- Praise your child for their reading when appropriate. For example, praise the child when a long or difficult book is completed.
- If your child decides to read something to you...be patient and let him or she read to you.
- When a topic of interest involves the whole family, like an upcoming trip or vacation, bring home some books to share with the family.
- Please discuss with your child any book they are reading for a class at school. Read the book yourself.
- When you and your child are working on something together, have him or she read the directions. Many models and construction kits improve when a child reads the instructions aloud.
Establish the Right Environment
- Establish a place in the child's room for their books. A feeling of ownership is essential.
- Introduce your child to the librarian. Librarians are anxious to help children look for exciting reading material. Make sure your child knows the school librarian too.
- You might find that students will read pages on the web. Help them find content that fits their interests.
- Look for computer programs that encourage reading.
- Let children know that books are essential in the home and display them somewhere.
- Check out text adventure games...an old computer game genre that requires a lot of reading and thinking. Searching "text adventure games" on the web should yield many choices.
- Help your child develop a non-sports hobby. Then provide him with books on the hobby. Hobbies help develop curiosity.