Helping Our Kids Become Great Readers

by Kelly Harbaugh
(Tabitha's Team)

We all want our kids to be interested in reading. I know that reading to our kids when they are young is a great way to encourage this.

What other things can parents do to encourage their children to enjoy reading as they get older? Are there any common mistakes you see that we can avoid?
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Tia's Response:

Encouraging our older children to read or to continue reading leisurely is easier when it is a part of the family lifestyle and a part of their hobbies and activities.

Model- Be sure the "tweens" and teens in your life see that reading is a part of an adult's well-rounded life. My sons witness reading the Bible, newspapers, magazines, devotional, professional journals, and novels. I share newspaper articles that I believe my sons will find interesting. You could also subscribe to magazines, such as Sports Illustrated or Time magazine.

Family Reading- Reading is a part of our family routine in a few ways. We have daily bible study, during which we share what they have read in their devotionals. We take weekly trips to the public library every Sunday after church. Monthly, we take trips to the nearest bookstore for new books and have brunch in the café. We read the same book together, occasionally. I want my sons to be exposed to both fiction and non-fiction, so when holidays or current events lend themselves to a good topic, I will make sure we check out books about that topic. For instance, this coming Sunday we will be looking for information about Haiti. One of my favorites family reading times is when my twelve year-old son and I look through recipe books to make the weekly menu.

Buddy Reading- Often my sons and my students will read the same book as some of their friends. I have found this works well. They naturally begin to talk about the book and encourage each other along the way. When adolescents start an independent conversation about the literature they are reading then you know they are well on the way to being lifetime readers.

Take Notice- I had to be aware of my sons' genre preferences, and I make it clear the content I do not want them to read. Sometimes, because they are not as aware as I am of hidden messages in literature, I have to make sure I know the title of what they are reading, and if I am not familiar with the author or content of the novel, I review the book and research the book further. Lastly, I turn the television off, most weekday evenings.

Build Comprehension- In order for independent reading to improve and challenge the reading level of a child, the reading should be a good fit, not too difficult and not too easy. Many teachers teach the "five finger rule." Read one page of the book. Hold one finger up for every unfamiliar word. If there are four-five fingers up, the book is too difficult, and you should "wave" that book away. If you do not have any fingers help up, then the book is too easy and will not be a challenge. If you hold up one or two fingers, the book is probably a just right fit, one that can be enjoyed and can be a slight challenge.