How to Get Kids Reading

How To Get Kids Reading

Today’s kids often want to do anything but read. So, how can we fix this? Join me to discuss how to get kids reading for National Reading Month!

How to Get Kids Reading

It’s National Reading Month. We’ve discussed plenty of books for YOU to read. But what about our kids? In a society where so many kids are obsessed with their tablets and phones, childhood reading statistics are plummeting. So, let’s discuss some strategies today for how to get kids reading.

Building Up Excitement Through Choice

I bribe my children with trips to the library or Barnes & Noble. This is a treat for our family. Granted, I’ve cultivated this over time. But, at this point the idea of an opportunity to run with free rein to pick any book they want off the shelves is held in high esteem.

National Reading month

But, I firmly believe this level of excitement can be cultivated at any age. There is a level of magic upon walking into a room full of books and taking the time to peruse and choose anything you want off the shelves. It allows children a feeling of autonomy and choice in a life where they often feel limited in control.

To fulfill that expectation, I try not to impose limits on these field trips. They are allowed to choose anything they want. I often say two books each so that there is a financial limitation (otherwise they’d walk out with the entire store.) But I do not put any limits on what two books they choose.

Treating Books Like Food

Although I allow my kids to choose whatever books they want on those field trip occasions, I do try to introduce “quality” reads into their “diet” as well. I have conversations with my kids about reading choices and offer the analogy of food choices. Some foods are considered “junk food- treats” and some foods are our healthy choices that fuel our bodies.

Books are like that too. There are our “junk food” choices that we can read sometimes. I do enjoy me a quick Rom-com from time to time. And our kids should be allowed to enjoy those Dog Man, Captain Underpants, Rainbow Fairies, and Magic Kittens choices occasionally too. Those are the gateway books that will get kids interested in picking up a book after all. But they’re not the ones that will increase vocabulary or offer the other benefits of reading.

To get those benefits I insist on rotating in other “classic” or higher level quality reads in as well like Charlotte’s Web, Matilda, Harry Potter and The Book Scavenger. They may be resistant at first, but there are ways to get buy-in and then over time it becomes second nature.

How to Incentivize “Better” Reading Choices Through Challenges

Kids love challenges. So, we sign up for summer reading challenges every year. This is where I often push the classics or more qualitative reads. It adds a layer to the challenge for them. There are SO many summer reading challenges out there. There are the local library ones. We also participate in the Pizza Hut Book-It Challenge each year. What kid wouldn’t want to earn free personal pizzas for reading books?

There’s also the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Challenge where kids can earn free books, or the Scholastic one where kids can earn free digital experiences as well as free books as a donation for children in need.

Looking for a year round challenge? Try the Chuck E. Cheese Reading challenge which rewards kids all year with free playing time after turning in a reading log`.

One of our personal favorite reading challenges is on the Mensa for Kids website. You do NOT have to be a Mensa member to participate. I appreciate it because it not only gives kids a goal to strive for- completing the list of books, but it is also where I’ve gotten many of the ideas for more qualitative books. I just put books from the list on hold at the library and picked them up over time to add to the kids’ pile.

Incentivizing Through Quality Time

My kids are now almost ten and seven, yet we still read together at bedtime every night. This is also where I push the more “qualitative reads”. They can read whatever they want on their own, but at night together we read a chapter of something more substantial.

We continue this tradition for a variety of reasons. One, it continues to keep that family bond. It offers an opportunity for touching base on things that occurred throughout the day. But it also allows cuddle time and discussion about what happens in the book and how it can apply to real life topics and critical thinking. It also allows children to stretch and explore books that might be a step above their current reading level. With a parent there to help, that book can become manageable and our reader can still continue to grow and expand vocabulary.

I hope these tips offer ideas for you on how to get kids reading. Know that you’re not alone. In this technology driven time, even my once voracious reading kids need to be fought with to get off screens and crack open a book. As everything else with kids, it’s constantly evolving. But know, that later in life our kids will hopefully thank us for expanding their worlds through books.

Looking for more suggestions on how to get kids reading? Check out my other blog posts with with kids’ book suggestions

Find more ways to spoil your inner bookworm!

Check out the Amaryllis Co. Shop, fully stocked with custom designs perfect for every book loving Amaryllis Girl! From shirts, mugs, wine glasses, and more, I have curated a shop with all of my favorites! SHOP HERE! You can also find my collection of bookish merchandise on Etsy.

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International Children's Day

Do You Know About International Children’s Book Day?

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Celebrate the Magic of International Children’s Book Day!

April is a month chock full of opportunities to celebrate reading. There’s National Library Week April 3rd-April 9th. Then there’s D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read) Day on April 12th. April 23rd is Shakespeare Day. And April 30th is El día de los niños, el día de los libros or Children’s Day, Book Day, a day to encourage family literacy.

But the celebration I want to discuss is International Children’s Book Day. This celebration began in 1967 to inspire a love for reading and to call attention to children’s books every April 2nd.

I love this celebration for a number of reasons. One, I stand behind the idea of stoking those burning desires for reading early. My children’s first regular outings were to the library, and to this day that remains our reward for everything. Both my children are as big of book nerds as me! A point of pride for this Book Mama!

But in addition to that early love of reading, there is something in particular about children’s books that is special. I firmly believe children’s literature should be held on a pedestal above any other genre. A good children’s book evokes feelings and creates cherished memories unlike any other. It can build safe spaces or entire worlds for us to escape. It also bonds and builds relationships.

I will never forget my father reading The Hobbit with me at bedtime growing up. Those evenings cuddled up next to him while he shared the adventures of Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf are still among my favorite memories. And yet, I managed to replicate that joy when sharing one of my own childhood favorites with my son for the first time. It was like experiencing the magic of Harry Potter for the first time all over again!

It even inspired me to pick up a few of my other favorites from childhood to read on my own again. The joy was still there, despite the years gone by. In fact, I found I was able to enjoy them again in a completely different way with an entirely new layer of life experience and wisdom.

It made me think, why should the whimsical fun of children’s books be limited to children? Why should we wait until we’re reading to our own children to pick up a formative favorite?

The joy of reading does not need to be limited by our age. Embrace that inner child from time to time and slip back to that world from your childhood, I dare you! You might find there’s no better escape than not only departing to a new world than your own, but leaving behind the bonds of “adulting” as well. It might even make you smile. . .

Looking for more children inspired reads? Here are a few posts you may enjoy!

Find more ways to spoil your inner bookworm!

Check out the Amaryllis Co. Shop, fully stocked with custom designs perfect for every book loving Amaryllis Girl! From shirts, mugs, wine glasses, and more, I have curated a shop with all of my favorites! SHOP HERE! You can also find my collection of bookish merchandise on Etsy.

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Grammar should we be teaching it

Grammar- Should We Be Teaching It?

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Why Schools Feel It Is Not Necessary.

Kids Grammar

Grammar- Should We Be Teaching It?

Somewhere in the last twenty years schools decided to stop teaching grammar. This was not really discussed or debated– it just happened. Why?

The main argument has been a shift in educational philosophy. Instead of previous generations, where the focus was on rote learning and memorization and worksheets, new philosophies sing the praises of critical thinking and hands on learning. In theory, this is great. Critical thinking skills are necessary across the board and will set children up for success in life and in the workplace. But are these philosophies missing something?

Current Grammar Curriculums

If you look at most public school primary grade curriculums there is a hole in grammar fundamentals. The approach is that students will learn these skills as they go. Teachers will use grading rubrics touching on punctuation and basic grammar principles as a scale to teach as necessary. But does this work? What happens when no one teaches the basic principles of the English language? Will a foundation ever be laid if students never learn the basic rules?

Arguments abound from high schools, colleges and superiors in the workplace saying no, students have not picked up these fundamentals. Today’s recent graduates including those with university degrees, seem to be unable to construct a simple declarative sentence, either orally or in writing. They cannot spell common, everyday words. Basic grammar and punctuation appear to be a complete mystery to recent generations.

Do We Need to Understand Grammar?

But is this a problem? Many would still argue no, that with technology capabilities what they are, it is no longer necessary to understand grammar ourselves. It is true that most writing is done on computers and tablets now. Most students no longer even carry notebooks and pencils to school. But should we rely on spell and grammar check for everything? Is it even entirely accurate?

The flawed approach to this argument is computers will never replace the conversational tone of human beings. In theory, grammar and spell check will pick up basic level mistakes, but will it ever replace the true understanding of sentence structure? Or possibly capture the beauty and fluency of the English language? 

Computers can also never replace the use of grammar understanding when it comes to our conversational interactions. Much like the cashier who can no longer make change on their own, our reliance on technology impairs our own intelligence and skillset to connect.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Are we sacrificing by losing our fundamental understanding of the English language?

If you liked this blog post, be sure to check out some of my other Children Inspired Blog Posts below!

Find more ways to spoil your inner bookworm!

Check out the Amaryllis Co. Shop, fully stocked with custom designs perfect for every book loving Amaryllis Girl! From shirts, mugs, wine glasses, and more, I have curated a shop with all of my favorites! SHOP HERE! You can also find my collection of bookish merchandise on Etsy.

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Banning Books in School

Banning Books in Schools

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To Kill a Mockingbird- Childhood Classic or Book to be Buried?

Banning Books in Schools

February 19th marked six years since Pulitzer Prize winning Harper Lee passed away.

But there might very soon be a time where no one knows who she is. Although it’s not the first time Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, has faced controversy, Lee’s legacy might really be in danger.

The argument over banning books in schools is not new. There has been controversy for years over what is considered appropriate material for our students to read. Questions about depiction of race and sexual innuendo in books have constantly found themselves on the docket.

But like everything in this current political climate, this recent spree of banning books in schools feels different. More divisive and potentially permanent.

 There is no question that book censorship is on the rise. Parents, activists, school board officials and lawmakers around the country are challenging books at a pace not seen in decades. The American Library Association reports that in September of last year alone, the volume of book challenges in the US was up 60% over the same month in 2020.

Although book challenges have always been a topic at School Board meetings, what’s changing and potentially scary, is not only the new frequency of these challenges, but also the tactics. Before it might have been a school district issue. But now, book banning groups are pushing the challenges to law enforcement, government houses and even state races. There have even been efforts to propose legislation allowing criminal charges to be filed against school librarians who disregard the bans.

Social media is fueling the fire. Chapters of book challenging organizations are publishing hysteria invoking graphics and google docs and spreadsheets of “questionable books”  for parents to question for their children.

Here are my concerns and thoughts on this issue.

1. It’s one thing if parents really have an issue with the content in these books. But do they really or are some parents getting swept up in the social media hysteria?

2. What about freedom of choice? Why if a parent has an issue with a particular book for their child can it not be enough for just their child to opt out? Why must they get the book banned for every child in the school/district?

3. Is opting your child out doing more potential harm than good?

Parents are stuck between a rock and a hard place. We want to shield our children from all potential harm and evil in the world. But is that realistic?

Let’s be real, even if your child misses getting exposed to these topics in the book, it doesn’t mean they will never be exposed. If anything exposing them during the structured environment provides an opportunity for you to guide the conversation. It’s an opportunity for a parent to check in and answer questions and respond to emotions raised by the issue. Whereas, if the child is opted out of that text and gets exposed at another time, they’re on their own without that built-in support system.

We must remember, today’s children are tomorrow’s adults to shape what the world will look like. What happens when we limit alternative viewpoints? Say we do eradicate topics like the Holocaust, sexual assault or the ugly parts of our country’s racial history – what happens to that sheltered generation who never learns about them? Isn’t that even more dangerous? We need to provide them with the tools to learn about the past so they can do better in the future. 

Check out some of my other blog posts on books and writing.

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