Want to grow a reader? Ignore their excuses and make reading a daily habit with these 6 tried-and-tested top tips!
Yes, they may have a reading session at school. And they may read perfectly well. But the average child who is busy, sporty and often over-extended, may not turn to a book when he has a break. If you have a child who does love reading, yippie and yay, you can go read something else 🙂
What do you mean, no TV?
This Sunday we banned our kids from watching TV. I stopped the 10-year-old as he sleepily made his way to the TV room via the kitchen. It was 6.30am and his eyes were barely open. When I asked where he was going, he replied “TV,” like a programmed robo-kid from a sci-fi movie. “Not today – you can read in bed with your breakfast,” I said sweetly.
The words were barely out my mouth when his other programmed response came: “I’ll watch National Geographic. Something educational.” His eyes were still hardly open so he didn’t see me narrow mine. “Nope. Not today. We’re having a TV-free day.” Well that certainly woke him up.
Excuses, excuses
His defence came quickly – we have a no TV rule in the week (besides news or sports events) so weekends are his only TV time. His friends all watch wayyyy more TV than him. He has been so good. He will do homework/learn for his test/clean his room/anything else later. “PLEASE MOM?” I nearly relented because I’m not against TV all the time, but knew I had to make a stand. “Read this morning. You’re getting out of the habit of reading.” This was my real concern.
Reading is a lifelong habit
With a very busy school week, reading time gets limited. And like everything, reading only becomes a habit when you do it often. A child who is used to having no screens available for a certain amount of time at night/in the week/on weekends will turn to books. This is my theory and unless there is an underlying reading issue – I believe it applies to most children.
I’ve written about the ways to help children become readers before and watching my kids mature into preteens and teens I’m more convinced than ever that when reading is a daily practice it becomes a life practice. I was rewarded for my perseverance when he climbed into bed early on Monday so he could carry on reading. This is where you want to end up – with your children appreciating reading time as a chosen activity – not a chore to be endured. Here are 6 tips to help you on your way.
6 Daily Reading Tips
1. 20 minutes minimum reading time a day. Don’t accept excuses. Set the alarm if you have to.
2. Don’t stress if kids miss a daily reading time, but try catch it up so they know you value it.
3. If they keep leaving their reading book at school – have a home reading book. Or let them read a non-fiction book for that day.
5. When they put the book away, ask what happened in the book. Talk about the plot and say things like “I wonder if they will find the treasure when you read the next chapter tomorrow.”
6. On weekends, find times to all read together as a family. Turn off the TV and screens – and ignore the moans.
Good luck and happy reading!
For more reading inspiration try:
10 Reasons to Get Your Kids Reading
Paired Reading is a technique that can help new and struggling readers
The Importance of Reading From Birth
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