5 Ways to Encourage Children to Read More
In a world where handheld devices captivate our children’s attention and minds, it’s often hard to get them excited about reading a plain old book. This post gives 5 ways to encourage your children to read more and gets them excited while they do it.
I can remember as a child spending hours alone with the characters in my books and becoming immersed in their stories. I would laugh and cry, celebrate in their victories and mourn with them in their losses. Those stories helped shape my character. If your children are like mine, getting them excited about an afternoon of reading can be a daunting task.
1. Choose books that have had movies made out of them. Once they have read the book promise them a movie night. Make sure you talk about the similarities and differences between the two once the movie is over. This has allowed for some fun discussions at our house. Some of my favorites are: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Stuart Little, The Borrowers, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach.
Check out this post on 100 Children’s books made into Movies
2. Take reading on the road. If you have a nearby park, grab a blanket and some snacks and enjoy the outdoors. Coffee shops, gardens, lakes, etc. Those are all great places to spend some time reading and get your kiddos excited about doing something different.
3. Place books everywhere. I always keep books or magazines in the seat pockets of our vehicles. Place them in baskets around the house, on coffee tables, even in the bathroom.
4. Give them reading incentives. You can do this on your own, or participate in your local libraries reading program. There are also so many other places that reward students for reading. Every year we participate in the Six Flags reading program and Braum’s Buddies, there is also the Pizza Hut Book it Program. ask around and see what establishments in your area offer incentives.
5. Let your children see you reading. When they know it’s important to you, they are most likely going to follow suit. Talk about what you’re reading. If something exciting is happening in a story share it with them, if the conflict is something they can understand talk about it
Bonus: Have a READ A THON. My children love it when I tell them we are going to have a book picnic in the living room for the day. I let them bring in blanket and pillows and spread them out across the floor; they grab piles of books and we spend the day reading. Sometime I will even let them bring their lunch and snacks to the floor as well. It’s one of their favorite school things that we do.
While I don’t have any illusions that my children will always choose a book over an electronic device when given the choice, I do want them to have a love for great literature. Anything we can do to make reading a book a contender in our children’s entertainment choices is a win. Â
Related Post: 5 Read Alouds that have changed our Family
What is one thing that you do in your home to encourage your children to read?
Angela is the Homeschool Encourager for the Overwhelmed & Under-Caffeinated and the Chaos-to-Confidence Specialist behind Schooling with Grace. With a no-fluff approach, a dash of humor, and a whole lot of heart, she helps homeschool moms cut through the chaos, ditch unrealistic expectations, and teach with confidence.