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.
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!
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