Help, My Kids Won't Read!

1. First and most important, get rid of the television. You may want to it out permanently or just put it up for a while. You could put them up for an entire summer or one day a week or some hours every day. You and your children may not believe this, but you will all survive a summer without it.

2. Second, limit computer time. Again, you children may scream and holler, but they can live without it. In fact you may want to put up or get rid of some of their favorite games.

3.Third and may be the most important step is to read yourself. Readers produce readers. If you want your children to read, then you must read.

4. Get everyone a library card and make trips to the library a big deal. Help each child choose books that will interest him or her. Find a good librarian and let him or her help you. Make sure to include fiction and nonfiction.

5. Get a list of recommended reading for children of different age groups. There are many places to find these lists. Ask your children's teachers. For those of you who homeschool, there are lists of recommended reading in books on the subject. You can find such lists at the library and on the Internet. Don't think that you and your child must read every single book on the list, but it is a good starting place. Make it a game. Give points for each book read and let the points buy something special or earn a special privilege.

6. Encourage your child to read books on subjects that are interesting to him or her at this time. For example, if your child expresses an interest in a subject such as owls, read books on owls. Then take a field trip to a zoo to see owls. Do you have a child that loves his or her bike? Get some books on that subject. Have you and your children seen a movie about the Civil War or about space and astronauts or some other subject? Then go to the library and together check some books on those subjects. Read them as family and discuss what you have learned.

7. Find reading contests and enter them. Pizza Hut sponsors one where the entire family can win pizza for reading a certain amount. Many libraries have these kinds of contests. Make reading a game or a contest.
8. Get a book on tape to listen to as you drive or as the family does chores. This will make the children want to read other books by that author.

9. Have a family reading time. Choose an interesting novel and read a chapter or two every night as a family activity. Many families I know do this. It is a good bonding time as well as a way to promote reading.

10. Start young!! It is never too early to read to your children or to read together as a family. It is also never too early to make the library a family outing. On the other hand, you sure don't want to wait until it is too late.

I know for a fact that these things work. I can introduce you to several families that do these things, and have found that they work. If you do these things, you might not want the television back ever. LOL