How to Get Your Kids to Read

Reading opens up a whole new world of imagination and adventure. A love of reading is a gift that every parent should want and it can be encouraged early by doing a few simple things. Here are a few easy and painless ways to encourage your kids to read.

How to GetYour Kids to Read: Model reading yourself

Kids will often try to copy the things they see their parents doing. Take advantage of this! Let your kids see you reading - something, anything. If you don't like to read books, read magazines. Find your own interests and read about them - show your kids how it's done. It's important that the kids hear the words "Mommy (or Daddy) is reading."

How to Get Your Kids to Read: Take your kids to the library

Become a regular visitor at your local library. Make use of the many services that are available. Building up a library of books on your own can be expensive, but having so many free volumes available to you can encourage everyone in the family to settle in with a good book or six!

Check with your library about book clubs, children's programs or other special events that you, your child and the whole family can participate in.

How to Get Your Kids to Read: Read to your children

From the time they are out of the womb, you should read out loud to your children. The sound of your voice is soothing to a child and even if they are too young to understand, hearing your voice reading and equating it with a pleasurable experience will help set the groundwork to foster a future as readers themselves.

A before bedtime or naptime ritual of reading picture books together or even longer chapter books to the older kids can not only encourage reading, but also foster family bonding. Let the kids pick out some books they'd like you to read and soon they'll be begging for bedtime. It doesn't matter how old the kids are - even older kids will occasionally enjoy listening to a good story.

How to Get Your Kids to Read: Set aside specific reading times

Set aside one night a week or a specific time every day to shut off the television, the video games, the computer - everything. Everyone in the house should grab something to read and enjoy some family reading time.

How to Get Your Kids to Read: Talk about what you're reading

When your children ask about a book you are reading, tell them about it. Talk to them about the story, the author and the reason you chose the book (or magazine).
Ask them about what they are reading. Ask them to tell you about the characters and the story and what they like about it. Opening up a dialogue and sharing what you and your kids are reading helps them realize their interests are important and should be shared.

How to Get Your Kids to Read: Help your kids find their interests

Anyone is more inclined to read something they are interested in. Help your child discover what they are interested in. If they like mysteries, encourage them to read Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Boxcar Children, Encyclopedia Brown and other mystery books.

If your child is intimidated by a full-length book, help them find shorter books or magazines. Comic books are a great way to get a child reading and capture their interest.

Help them find books and other reading materials that will inform and encourage their interests while keeping them reading. It doesn't matter what they read, as long as they are reading.

Take some time and a few of these suggestions and you never know, your child might turn into a voracious reader and surprise you with the wealth of knowledge they accumulate.