The more that you read,
The more things you will know.
The more that you learn,
The more places you’ll go.
—-Dr. Seuss
Parents often ask me what I suggest for their child’s summer reading. I find that a hard question to answer because for me as a child I wanted to read EVERYTHING! Reading is personal to what an individual likes, and the wonderful thing is if you ask your child what they like there will be a book about it! I think the most important question a parent should ask is not “what” should my child read but “HOW” do I get my kids consistently reading-not just in the summertime!
Summer reading is great because there is more time, it is not curriculum reading so there is more scope for exploration, and of course, it’s going to keep the brain working and retaining skills that get forgotten in summer. But reading for kids (and teens, and adults) should reach far beyond the summer and if possible should be a daily habit. Reading increases vocabulary, makes better writers, increases focus and concentration creates stronger analytical skills, and enhances creativity. Reading helps young children understand emotions and how they fit into the world around them and teaches them empathy. For adults, the daily stimulation of the brain through reading has been proven to reduce mental disorders such as dementia as well as help with stress reduction. Essentially, reading is more than knowledge-enhancement, it plays a very important part in our cognitive and social development.
So how do we develop reading habits?
I think that will look different for everyone but one thing holds true: Family engagement helps.
- Read as a family before bedtime.
- Get invested in what your children or young adults are reading. Get excited about the storyline with them, and ask what they think is going to happen next.
- Find out what genres they like, really have fun personalizing to their tastes, then expand out once they are engaged.
- This one sounds counterproductive, but watch the movie version with them (preferably after they read the book but whatever works) and talk through what is different, what worked, and what didn’t. Make the movie a nice treat after getting through a book with popcorn and candy etc.
5. Make it a game, set timers, and mini-goals, and create a little recognition chart that positively tracks progress after each chapter.
6. Get to the library! Make it a field trip.
7. Make your own books (comic books and graphic novels count!)
8. Have your kids start book clubs with other kids-make it social!
9. When going on trips pack books! Have them read on the trains and planes etc.
10. And if all else fails….bribe them! Exchange reading time for screen time. Sometimes you have to fake it till you make it. If they are reading to get their screen time they will eventually fall prey to a storyline that they end up liking!
MOST IMPORTANTLY… have patience. Reading does not come naturally for everyone, if your child is struggling stick with it. If your teen is struggling, stick with it. Eventually, the experience becomes easier and more enjoyable for everyone. Plus it’s free entertainment!
*If you still need help with what your child should read there are many links that will have school reading lists or the most popular books according to the age of your child. Maybe you have your own personal favorites from childhood like The Chronicles of Narnia, Wizard of Oz, or A Wrinkle in Time. Just because a book is old doesn’t mean it’s not a whole new world to them!
