How to Encourage Your Child to Read

Reading is fundamental. Well, it may be, but most kids don't even know what the word means so what's the point of expressing it that way? We need to express the importance of reading in a way kids will not just understand, but want to act upon. Many kids associate reading with school and the "I hate school" genera and "having" to read for school and homework - where's the "fun"damental in that?

Common sense says that if you teach something in a fun way, kids are more likely to learn better and faster. So why not make reading fun? It isn't hard, and you can also work it so the kids learn more than just "how to read" and to excel their reading skills, but also gives them the ability to use their imagination, creativity and even learn from the things they read. They can learn "how to read" and also learn about something new or a place they have never been to, to understand a different situation, think "outside the box", use their imaginations, have adventures, even make "friends" and have fun while doing it all!

So, how do you encourage your children - or any child - to read? There are a lot of options. Just pick one and start your child on an adventure, a mystery to solve, or to a place they have never been! Here's a few ideas.

Pick a Theme - fact and fiction: Pick themes that you know your child likes so that they will want to start the program, but also include some they aren't aware of so that they can embark on an adventure they never knew existed. What does your child like? Do they like animals, pioneer days, space adventures, prehistoric times, funny characters, real-life people, history, current times, or imaginary places? Well, start them on a book with their favorite theme, but also include books related to that theme that they aren't aware of. For instance, do they love Disney?

Well, you can get them books of all the Disney movies and characters, but what about Walt Disney himself? They might be fascinated to learn how it all started! Do they love horses? There are the usual stories like My Friend Flicka and Black Stallion, but what about a book that tells how to take care of a horse? Combine fact with fiction and you offer your child the excitement they want while opening the door to new adventures and learning.

Start a Book Club: Now I know you are saying "Those are for adults so they can sit and meticulously decipher and politically correct every word, phrase or event." Well, I have never been to a book club, but I guess if that is the way you want to do it, have at it. But for the kids - all kids love to be a part of a "club". You can have it between your own children or include their friends. Met once a week. Whether they read the whole book in a week or just a couple chapters and give updates each week, each child reads a different book of his/her liking then gives a synopsis of the story (but don't give away the ending!), Then the other kids get to ask questions about the story - kids questions.

What was their favorite part and why? Would you have done the same thing if the story happened to you? Would you like to have gone to that place? What would you have done different? Do you think they did the right thing? How would you have changed the situation? If a child applies the story to themselves,they will enjoy the story more and learn from it while it opens the doors of thought and imagination to the other kids to make them want to read that book too.

Series Books: Again, been there, done that, you say. Series such as, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High, Babysitters Club, Henry Read, Inc., Encyclopedia Brown; those great series have been around for years and years. They must have something going for them to still be favorites! Start them with #1 and work their way up! Have each child read a different series and "brag" about their "friends" to each other to ignite that spark of interest for the new reader.

Create a Contest or Game. Have a prize or award that the kids can read for. How about a board game and you move spaces for every book read until they "win". Make spaces on the board that tells what style of book to read. Land on a space that says "fiction" and they have to read a fiction book of their choice. Land on a space that says "autobiography" and they choose a book about someone. Land on a space that says "your choice" and they choose any style they want. They have to answer questions about the book in order to be able to move ahead with the roll of a dice. Other spaces could be a book about an animal, a book about early American settlers, a book about an American president, a fairy tale book, a mystery, a book about a kid in another country. The options are limitless.

Summer Reading Program. Any period of time will work. Assign a theme or style of book for each week. The first book is their choice and the next book you choose for them - that way you can introduce them to new adventures, people, places and things that they might not have thought about themselves. They are just kids, remember. There's a lot out there for them to learn and they just need your help.

Everybody prefers to work for a reward or end product, so why not read for one? Prizes could be a new book of their choice, a set of book ends for their favorite books, a trip to a favorite place, or a special food or article of clothing. The prize doesn't have to be expensive; it could be a sleep-over or a backyard Bar-B-Q with their friends. Just think of the encouragement that would give their friends! A party and all they had to do were read books? Wow - how cool is that! Once the spark of imagination ignites, it will only get better!

And now you ask, "where do you find all these books?" Well, if you can afford it, just go buy them at the book store, but more practically and even necessary - check out the local library. Not only do they have the check-out and return system, but many libraries have an area where they sell discarded library books or books donated by the community. I stocked my kids with books for years, all at 10¢ each from our library. Check out Ebay, Amazon and other online sales places. You can watch local books stores, second hand book stores, discount stores, even swap books between families and friends. Last but not least, that treasure trove called "yard sales". I go every summer and never pay more than 10¢ each for books for my grand kids and by the end of the summer; I have enough books for them to read until the yard sales start the next summer! Then I have a yard sale and sell the ones that have been read and use that money to go buy more! Keep the cycle going!

Reading is fundamental....well, it may be, but to me, reading is just plain FUN. And if kids can learn to read and how to use it, all while having fun, they have accomplished a major endeavor that will carry them through life. It will be there for them whether they need it professionally or just to relax and zone-out or to utilize it to further their knowledge or education. Reading is fun.