As a reading teacher I can only imagine the kind of struggle parents have to contend with just to get their children to read. To begin with, reading is not an activity of choice for most kids, then compound that with the myriad of distractions that they have before them nowadays. They have children’s programming 24 – 7, they have MTV, the Internet, their MP3’s, Ipods, Gameboys, PSPs and a whole lot more. All of which contributes to the congestion and overcrowding of a child’s daily life that reading, a slow and low-tech activity easily gets lost in the mix.
But it is inescapable that reading – reading WITH comprehension is an important skill to have. And as adults, we have to at least ensure that our kids have that advantage. An advantage that is sure to serve them well in this competitive world.
Herewith are some tips which I and a lot of other reading teachers and specialists have come to believe to be very important in raising lifelong readers.
1. Provide the environment. Raise your child in a print rich environment. Have books, magazines, newspapers and even pamphlets around your home which he can flip through or scan. Surround him with words. If you must absolutely have order in your home, have him pick a comfortable and well-lighted spot in your house or his room where reading materials are within easy reach.
2. Introduce games that encourage reading. Rather than buying him the latest in robotic toys or gadgets, why not stick to word games such as Scrabble, Boggle, or Trivial Pursuit. Join in on the fun too.
3. Read to your child and encourage his questions. If he’s too old for bedtime stories, why not read to him a news or magazine article which would be of interest to him. And encourage him to ask questions about the article and guide him into answering and asking “why” questions as opposed to “who” or “what” questions. In time, you would have created not only a reading ritual but a bonding time between you as well. Fifteen minutes a day of this makes all the difference.
4. Keep his interests in mind. Include him in the decision making process. Have him pick some of his reading materials. Though you may cringe at his choices, if no permanent damage will result from them – what’s a few mention of bodily secretions like “barf” and “snot” compared to the joy you’ll feel when you see them graduate to more acceptable reading matter. Also if your budget would allow it, why not give him a subscription to his favorite magazine.
5. Model reading. The last but certainly the most important tip of all. You may do all of the above BUT if your child does not see you reading and enjoying it – all of your efforts would be for naught. Whether they’ll admit to it or not OR whether you yourself see it or not, your kids mirror your actions, your values. If your kids see you reading, and see the joy you derive from it, chances are the habit’s going to rub off on them. If you only pay it lip service, your child cannot be faulted for thinking that reading is nothing more than a tedious chore, or a cruel punishment.
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