This is adapted from my article in LaVOZ magazine: June 2010:
Let's promote reading....wherever we are!
“Mommm... I’m bored.” Those are the words lots of parents hear at home; during summer, winter breaks and over the weekend. So what’s a parent to do? How can parents help their children grow in all sorts of ways outside of school? There are many ways to encourage reading during those ‘off’ hours. Kids actually do a lot of reading already, but many of the things they read are not considered by adults to be useful. Some video games require reading on the spot, cereal boxes, signs, instructions, and texting all require reading. Remembering that kids like different things, we can guide them into the world of reading by supporting those interests. Here are some ways to ‘infiltrate’ reading into their lives:
- Take your children to the library or bookstore and let them choose their own books. Make your visits fun by including an outing like an ice cream stop, lunch on the grass, a walk through town window shopping. This will help them associate the library with all the other fun things they do with you. Go regularly and go often. Even if they’re not done with their book, head back to get a ‘back up’ book for when they are done.
- On your trips to the library, talk to them about the signs they see in the windows. Look at the flyers that announce upcoming events and talk about them.
- Supply them with paper and crayons or paint. Use recycled paper or the backs of envelopes or other left over paper. Allow them to create new and exciting art. Ask them to tell you a story about the art they have created. How does this help with reading? Interested and engaged children want to find out more about how things work, and so will often research those interests on line or in books.
- Leave notes in interesting places for them to find: the bathroom when they wake up, their shoes, lunch box or underwear drawer. Write down a funny joke or a silly rhyme or just an “I love you”.
- Help them learn a skill by following a recipe, a pattern, a manual or other written directions.
- Encourage them to read widely. Read the same book and discuss it.
- Put a magazine rack in the bathroom and keep it filled. Include joke books, children’s magazines, and Brain Teasers.
- Comic books are excellent sources for reading and there are now more varieties to choose from including those with few words like Garfield to the longer multi-book series graphic novels.
- Travel is always an excellent way to engage your children in the world around them, and thus encourage them to read. You don’t have to travel far to have exciting adventures. We live in an incredible part of the world and can find hiking, museums, bike trails, swimming and other activities with less than a tank of gas. After an adventure, grab a book and learn more about it: bird watching, tide pooling, biking or hiking a trail and identifying leaves, trees or animals, with a field guide in hand.
- If possible, purchase a subscription to a magazine your child likes – this can be about fashion, celebrities, a hobby or other interest. Magazines are excellent sources for reading. “Reading” pictures in magazines is an important literacy skill that reinforces critical thinking.
- Read aloud to each other. When your children are small, pick a quiet place and time for reading together. Many parents do this each night before bed. It’s a great way to connect and to help your child relax as well as reinforcing the pleasure of reading. When they get older, have your child read to you while you’re driving – joke books, riddles and other short story wordplays are great conversation starters. If you are on a long road trip, reading aloud to everyone in the car keeps everyone occupied and interested during boring stretches.
While it seems obvious that kids learn to read better by reading more, this knowledge is backed up by scientific research. Dr Stephen Krashen, Professor Emeritus of USC tells us: “Research consistently shows that by far the best way to boost vocabulary is through wide, self-selected reading. Picking up words by reading is faster than word study and gives children more complete knowledge of words. Wide reading, in fact, has a positive influence on nearly every subject taught in school.”
There are so many ways to create a lifelong reader and learner! Enjoy the many possibilities and if you need more ideas – get to know your school and local public librarian. They know lots of great books and great ideas for creating that reading spark!
-Connie Williams
National Board Certified
Teacher Librarian
Let's promote reading....wherever we are!
“Mommm... I’m bored.” Those are the words lots of parents hear at home; during summer, winter breaks and over the weekend. So what’s a parent to do? How can parents help their children grow in all sorts of ways outside of school? There are many ways to encourage reading during those ‘off’ hours. Kids actually do a lot of reading already, but many of the things they read are not considered by adults to be useful. Some video games require reading on the spot, cereal boxes, signs, instructions, and texting all require reading. Remembering that kids like different things, we can guide them into the world of reading by supporting those interests. Here are some ways to ‘infiltrate’ reading into their lives:
- Take your children to the library or bookstore and let them choose their own books. Make your visits fun by including an outing like an ice cream stop, lunch on the grass, a walk through town window shopping. This will help them associate the library with all the other fun things they do with you. Go regularly and go often. Even if they’re not done with their book, head back to get a ‘back up’ book for when they are done.
- On your trips to the library, talk to them about the signs they see in the windows. Look at the flyers that announce upcoming events and talk about them.
- Supply them with paper and crayons or paint. Use recycled paper or the backs of envelopes or other left over paper. Allow them to create new and exciting art. Ask them to tell you a story about the art they have created. How does this help with reading? Interested and engaged children want to find out more about how things work, and so will often research those interests on line or in books.
- Leave notes in interesting places for them to find: the bathroom when they wake up, their shoes, lunch box or underwear drawer. Write down a funny joke or a silly rhyme or just an “I love you”.
- Help them learn a skill by following a recipe, a pattern, a manual or other written directions.
- Encourage them to read widely. Read the same book and discuss it.
- Put a magazine rack in the bathroom and keep it filled. Include joke books, children’s magazines, and Brain Teasers.
- Comic books are excellent sources for reading and there are now more varieties to choose from including those with few words like Garfield to the longer multi-book series graphic novels.
- Travel is always an excellent way to engage your children in the world around them, and thus encourage them to read. You don’t have to travel far to have exciting adventures. We live in an incredible part of the world and can find hiking, museums, bike trails, swimming and other activities with less than a tank of gas. After an adventure, grab a book and learn more about it: bird watching, tide pooling, biking or hiking a trail and identifying leaves, trees or animals, with a field guide in hand.
- If possible, purchase a subscription to a magazine your child likes – this can be about fashion, celebrities, a hobby or other interest. Magazines are excellent sources for reading. “Reading” pictures in magazines is an important literacy skill that reinforces critical thinking.
- Read aloud to each other. When your children are small, pick a quiet place and time for reading together. Many parents do this each night before bed. It’s a great way to connect and to help your child relax as well as reinforcing the pleasure of reading. When they get older, have your child read to you while you’re driving – joke books, riddles and other short story wordplays are great conversation starters. If you are on a long road trip, reading aloud to everyone in the car keeps everyone occupied and interested during boring stretches.
While it seems obvious that kids learn to read better by reading more, this knowledge is backed up by scientific research. Dr Stephen Krashen, Professor Emeritus of USC tells us: “Research consistently shows that by far the best way to boost vocabulary is through wide, self-selected reading. Picking up words by reading is faster than word study and gives children more complete knowledge of words. Wide reading, in fact, has a positive influence on nearly every subject taught in school.”
There are so many ways to create a lifelong reader and learner! Enjoy the many possibilities and if you need more ideas – get to know your school and local public librarian. They know lots of great books and great ideas for creating that reading spark!
-Connie Williams
National Board Certified
Teacher Librarian
