Top 5 Tips For Raising Readers

 Have you ever thought that some parents get the jackpot pot when it comes to kids reading?  Maybe they did or maybe they did a few simple things to shift the scale in their favor.  So what can we do to help and encourage our kids to read?  Here are 5 simple tips for raising kids who enjoy reading!

1.  Go to the library.  If you're like me you spent a lot of time at the library for Story time when your kids were little.  (I'll write another post about Story time soon!) We wanted our kids to socialize, listen to stories and see cute little puppet shows.  As they got older and were no longer at the age for Story time, trips to the library slowed down or just plain stopped.  But the experience of going to the library, looking through books, stumbling upon an author you've never heard of - is priceless. Not to mention, discovering the librarian's picks that you've never heard of.  At the library you can go looking for a particular book but in doing so you will meet so many other books.  Plus, the library is uniquely designed with reading nooks, book displays and lighting that make you want to read.  Most libraries have gotten id of late fees too!

2.  Lead by example.  Do you read for enjoyment?  Your kids need to see you reading.  Kids often imitate their parents, so use that to your advantage.  When you take the kids to the library; check out books for yourself.  Enjoy cooking? Check out a cookbook or biography of your favorite chef.  Don't forget the fiction.  Check out romance, horror, mystery; whatever floats your boat.  The old adage do as I say not as I do; has long since been discarded.  Your kids are likely to think "if reading is so great, why don't you do it?"  Another great way to let them see you read is by reading to them.  Yes even your older kids will still like being read to.  Read aloud your favorite childhood books.  Right now I am reading Anne of Green Gables to my kids. They would never choose this book.  Yet at night the ask me to read about Anne to them.  I love hearing them laugh at Anne and wonder about the world she lived in.  A final suggestion is to choose a family novel.  Buy or check out  a copy for each of you. Read at your own pace, but take time to discuss it over dinner or in the car on the way to school.

3.  Follow their heart. Let your child lead the way.  Let them choose what they want to read.  I do not like bugs.  My kids love them.  Every time we go to the library they find some new bug book with the grossest photos.  Letting them choose gives them power and encourages them to stay curious. It's also a chance to learn more about your child. Sometimes they will want a book that is too hard to read on their own.  That's ok, get it anyway and read it together.  When they become a stronger reader they can go back and read it on their own.  You can give some direction, for example telling them to choose a fiction and a nonfiction book.  What's important is that they choose it.  They are more likely to read it and enjoy it if it was their choice. 

4.  Keep it simple.  Parents were always surprised when I told them to let their kids watch t.v. with captions and put it on their reading log.  So often we think reading has to be a chapter book, but it doesn't.  We want them to read.  So yes turn off the sound and let them read the dialogue for their favorite show.   As adults we read so many different mediums so our kids should too.  Let them read magazines, brochures, manuals, comics, blogs, news etc.  Don't complicate things by restricting what they have to read.  Its's simple: read.  Just read.

5. Start early.  I could probably write a whole post about this one, but I'll keep it short.  It's never too early. When your child is a baby start exposing them to letters and sounds.  They will repeat them.  Sounds become words, words become sentences and then paragraphs and ultimately books. You will be so delighted when your child looks out the window and reads a letter or a word that they remember.  I used to fill the bathtub with foam letters when my kids were babies.  Those same letters were used to practice sight words and spelling words, new phonics sounds and even new vocabulary words.  To be honest we just stopped using them last year because my kids prefer to shower now.  If you're thinking you missed the window to start early, don't worry its not too late.  Just start from where you are now.

Those of my top 5 tips to raise kids who love to read!  

1. Go to the library

2. Lead by example

3. Follow your child's heart

4. Keep it simple

5. Start early

I know that every family is different but hopefully there is a least one tip here that is useful to you.  I'd love to hear how you encourage your kids to read!