3 Ways to Form New Reading Habits with Your Family
A recent article in Education News touts the importance of reading aloud to our children. This may seem obvious and not even newsworthy except for the fact that recent studies reveal the number of children reading books for fun is dropping. According to a study of 1,000 children ages 6 to 17, reading for fun is down to 31% from 37% only four years ago. We shouldn’t be surprised, really, with all the competition for our time and attention from video games, movies and sports practice, to name a few. However, studies like this remind us that an early love of reading, fostered by read aloud time with a parent, is the best indicator of a future love of reading and consequently success in school. We know from a myriad of studies that reading aloud exposes children to rich literary language that builds not only their vocabulary but also their knowledge and experience base. The simple act of reading with your child forms the strong academic foundation they need for all learning. So how do we fit it in, and not just before bedtime? We do our best to squeeze it in while the pasta is boiling and in between loads of laundry. Here are some tips to form some new reading habits in your family:
- Surround them with books they have chosen. Think about it like you might healthy snacks. If I ask my two boys “Would you like some vegetables for a snack?” the answer is invariably “no”. But if I set out a colorful tray of carrots and celery and cucumbers with a little bowl of ranch dressing to dip them in, they are clustered around the tray munching and crunching in no time. So it is with books. Every two or three weeks, head to the public library and let your readers grab everything that interests them. We fill our pretty red flannel book bag that lives next to our sofa.
- Go for variety. Back at the library, slip some books into the book bag that they might not have chosen on their own. Choose books with irresistible covers that will grab their attention. Good readers don’t progress from easy to more difficult texts in a direct line. They read anything and everything. They read widely from all types of genres: fiction, informational texts, poetry, graphic novels, magazines, and biographies. They never outgrow picture books and will revisit books they loved when they were “little” no matter how little they still are.
- Invite them into stories. Over the few hours we are home from the library and for several days afterwards, I will spread the books from our bag onto the sofa and side table and rug and ottoman. I will casually inquire to no one in particular, “Hey have you read this one yet?” “Is it good?” “Aren’t these illustrations beautiful?” “Oh my goodness, look at this.” These invitations are always more effective than if I say, “Would either of you like to sit down and read with me?” Make your readers wonder what happens in the story, and, most of the time, your enthusiasm and curiosity will be contagious. Before too long your children will settle down to get to know the visitors that have landed in your living room.
Today’s post is written by Lower School Librarian Miranda Clark.