My kids are all avid readers. Some started early. Some started late. But they're all in their double digits now and reading like demons. They have developed, what I hope, is a lifelong love of reading.
There are some things I know about fostering book-love in kids. I bet there are some things you know too. Here are my book worm fostering things (and you can add yours in the comments, if you like!)
- Be sure your house is overflowing with books. Don't worry about impending home-shoots or visiting mother in laws. Stack those suckers up all over the place.
- Don't be picky about reading material. Kids can love trashy supermarket magazines and literary classics equally. They will become more discerning as they get older. Or not. But that's okay too.
- Go to the library. A lot. Try to go every couple of weeks and hang out. Make lists of interesting things with your child and look for books that cover those topics.
- Make your own books. Help your child make their very own book. It will be just the sort of thing they want to read.
- Don't forbid reading at the dinner table. Or breakfast table. Sometimes these are the only times kids sit quietly, so I think it's okay to be spilling spaghetti on your Harry Potter, as long as you are soaking up some good words.
- Shop for books very often. Second hand books are cheap and often MUCH nicer than new ones. Don't be stingy and set aside a few dollars a week to add to your library.
- Buy audio books (or download them) and let beginning readers and pre-readers listen to them as they drift off to sleep. They may later have a super successful experience reading the hard copy of said book (with a bit of a head start on the plot, characters and language).
- Watch film or tv adaptations of great books. Then encourage your child to read the book, or read the book aloud to them. Kids love to discuss the differences betwixt book and dramatization. And any book discussion is good discussion, I reckon.
- Display your books proudly and profusely. In the kitchen, in the bedroom, in the dining room. If there's a book at arm's length, or a lovely row stacked nearby with their spines gleaming invitingly, reading becomes a reflex, not a task.
- Be patient. Some kids take a little longer then others to piece together the weird patterns of the English language. Keep surrounding your child with books and reading matter, and try to give your child time to fall in love with words all by themselves. Don't make it hard work.
- Buy books online too. It's very exciting to open a package. Even more exciting when it's got a book to snuggle down with tucked inside.
- Read books together. Maybe the same book. Maybe you each read a different book, side by side.
- Look for words everywhere. Read menus, street signs, cereal packets... whatever you come across. Point out letters. Look for reading clues with your child as a matter of course and make a game of it.
- Write down 'rude' or silly words together. Kids love this and it proves that reading and writing can be fun and naughty at the same time. Kids LOVE fun and naughty.
How about at your place? Where does reading fit in with you? Have you got some tips too?!
xx Pip
