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Getting Kids interested in Reading

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bookworm323

New Member
So with all the new techno stuffy I would really like to see my nieces and nephews pick up a book every now and then. Any suggestions from those with kids how do you get them interested in reading? They are ages 5, 3, 11, 12. Thanks
 
Is anyone currently reading to them? The best way to open a childs heart to literature is by reading to them. There are some nice online places you can go for suggestions about what books are good for what ages. Encourage their parents to read to them daily for about 10 minutes to start with (they will usually ask for longer!.) It's a nice bedtime ritual.

Also, make a field trip to your local library and let them get library cards in their own names and help them choose a book to check out. BTW, your local librarian is an excellent source of suggestions on books.

Good luck.
 
Along with reading aloud to kids(even kids who CAN read on their own), I would add give books for every gift giving occasion. We liked to create kits centered around a craft book, depending on the child's interest. I've also seen some neat gifts made up of a book and some food items that fit the book..for instance, The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco...paired with a small jar of honey and some muffins. Appletree Christmas by Trinka Haakes Noble would go well with any apple treat, a box of colored pencils, and a pad of drawing paper..
 
Find them interesting books is always a good start. Small rewards system might also work. Definitely reading to them. There's something nice about hearing a book read aloud, especially if it gets you to spend more time with the kid.
 
Read to them and read yourself while they're around. Take them to the local library or the book store and let them pick something that interests them. Never under-estimate the power of a bowl of popcorn and story hour before bed.
 
start telling them a story (storyline from a kids book) then tell them to get them the book if they wanna know more. Worked a charm on me ;) Turned out to be a bookworm ;)
 
Penny Alley said:
Read to them and read yourself while they're around. Take them to the local library or the book store and let them pick something that interests them. Never under-estimate the power of a bowl of popcorn and story hour before bed.
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Good point; kids need to see parents and other adults modeling good habits, and reading is a biggie. I would also add that boys particularly need to see men reading for pleasure. If not, they can think reading is just for girls, which is a lie from the pit that will hurt them later. It is also good for children to see adults reading to eachother and discussing the interesting bits. Again, it's a matter of modeling.
 
Another point, find books that are about your neices & nephews interests and hobbies. That way, they are introduced to books that have exciting content material that is relevant to them. Hopefully they develop a personal relationship to reading.
Hope this helps.
 
digital said:
Another point, find books that are about your neices & nephews interests and hobbies. That way, they are introduced to books that have exciting content material that is relevant to them. Hopefully they develop a personal relationship to reading.
Hope this helps.
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Yes! There are so many great non-fiction titles for the 5-8 and 9-13 age range. There is bound to be something for every topic imaginable. I know adults who have used the children's knitting books to teach themselves how to knit.
 
I would agree with all of the above. Plus a lot of kids love routines. They associate enjoyment with things that you routinely do as a family. I read to my daughter at night before she goes to sleep and she is disappointed when we aren't able to.
She is a great reader at 9, and she loves to read to me as well, but she still enjoys the routine of hearing a story as she drifts off to sleep. I will read to her as long as she still wants me to.
 
The best way would probably be to take them to Barnes and Nobles and tell them that they can pick out a book that they want. That way they are choosing what interests them. Just hang out and browse for a hour or two and they will be bound to find something that captures them, or at least tickles their interest. I know I always enjoyed trips to the book store when I was younger, and I was always more likely to read something if I picked it out, as opposed to it being assigned in school or random gift that I didn't ask for.

P.S.

this advice is for the 11 and 12 year old, you will probably have to find childrens books for the 3 and 5 year old. But hey, they might be able to pick something out in the kiddie section as well.
 
Read Aloud

I agree with those who have suggested reading aloud to them! My mom read dozens and dozens of books to me and my siblings growing up and instilled a love for literature that way.
 
Reading to them has great benefits. But if you yourself are not a reader, it will not work. I am preaching to the choir I know, but the biggest influence on our kids is who we are. If we are readers and talk with other adults about our reading, they will emulate.

I know many parents who read to their kids, and that is the only reading that happens in the family, and the only time books show up or are talked about. Those kids are not going to be avid readers. They may love their parents, and love their close moments snuggling with their Moms voice or whatever, but they likely will not be a reader.
 
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