What can parents and/or teachers do to turn children on to books?

[Kathy Maxwell]

What can parents and/or teachers do to encourage reading?  to help children become avid readers?

[Kelli Wheelwright]

I think the best way Ive found is to share my love of reading with them! They see me reading and as they say, monkey see monkey do!

 

I think also helping them find books that suit thier interest and an appropriate reading level :)

 

KW

Http://www.ekfamilybooks.blogspot.com

 

[Angela (Reading Angel)]

I agree, my son has seem my love of reading since birth and that has been normal for him.  He grew up knowing that it was exciting to get to go to the bookstore and library!

 

Also, finding the right content and reading level is super important!

[kjforce]

I agree parents should set the example , because most children imitate life before they understand it..

I take my grandchildren to the libary, we do it monthly..we visit the bookstore at the library and buy the books, each child usually has $2.00 to spend. When they are done reading them we donate them to the "Hope" store (a christian organization that helps less fortunate) and they distribute the books. We also wrap the books(good condition) at Christmastime and donate to community centers within our community...My grandchildren love the fact that they can help other children..just wanted to share with you..

weed by choice..kjforce

[Kathy Maxwell]

Such a great idea!!  Thanks, for sharing!

[Kelli Wheelwright]

I love the idea of donating books. We normally donate our lightly worn copies to Desseret Industries.

 

Often times our books are too well loved though, little kids can be hard on books :)

KW

[Sara-Jayne Slack]

The parents need to make sure that they have books visible around the home. Whether that's a bookcase in the hall, a few novels on the coffee table, etc. If children grow up in an environment where they're encouraged to read, but the parents don't also show them that /they/ love reading, then they may see it as something to grow out of.

 

Also, something I do with my cousins (7 and 4 years old) each year is at Easter, instead of getting them even more chocolate, I take them on an outing to the local bookshops and tell them that they're allowed to choose a book each. They love being able to be 'grown up' and choose what they read, but it also familiarises them with both small and larger bookshops, so that feeling of being overwhelmed by just how many books are on offer doesn't really apply to them.

 

I hope these two things helped!

 

~Sara, from Inspired-Quill

[Christine Amsden]

I've been reading to my kids since they were born. Every day...age appropriate books.

 

For boys, it is worth noting that studies show they are more likely to become readers if their *fathers* read to them. (This does not mean mothers can't make an impact.)

 

I think by the time they go to school, if they don't have a certain love for books, if they haven't seen their parents reading/enjoying books, and if they haven't been read to, there isn't a lot a teacher can do. This is one of those things I think parents have the most power to influence in their children.

 

 

[Kelli Wheelwright]

Often times my son asks to read to his Dad for his homework instead of to me :) Im just happy he is enjoying reading now!

 

KW

http://www.ekfamilybooks.blogspot.com

 

[shelly blomker]

If you read to your kids when thier little they get the idea the reading is full of fun. Teachers have to help kids know that reading will take them on advengers as will as learn sothing. So, kids are lazy or get left behind because of the classes being to full. But, always it comes to how much time the parent wants to spend with the kids, how much time the teachers are willing to as will.

Picture books for the really young, the easy readers and so forth as the kids get older. Teachers are there to help the kids learn to read. Parents are there to make sure that they are learning and enjoying what can be inside a book.

At least that's my opinion.

[Kelli Wheelwright]

Reading aloud has always been fun for us! And it allows younger minds to start the process of comprehending books at higher levels then they can read.

 

Now we read together, our own books- but all in the same room.

 

KW

[Chelsea Thomas Lane]

I believe the more you read to your child the more likely they are to pick up a book. It worked when I was a child :)

http://http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Ember-Incantus-ebook/dp/B004UB2Z...

[David H. Donaghe]

The best thing parents can do is set aside a time to read to their kids every day.  When I was young, my older brother would read to me.  He would read some exciting adventure story to me, but then he would quit at the most exciting part and say, "If you want to know what happens next, read it yourself."  I eventually did.  Today, I love to read.

 

David H. Donaghe

author of Monroe's Paranormal Investigations

and The Tale Spinner.