How to Raise a Child Who Loves to Read

Posted by: Lauren Young on September 10, 2009

This post was written by Diane W. Frankenstein, who is author of Reading Together: Everything You Need to Know to Raise a Child Who Loves to Read

Although my children are now grown, September conjures up memories as the most ambivalent month of the year for me. As a working mom, the excitement and anticipation of the beginning of a new school year also brought the daunting reality of new schedules and responsibilities for my children as well as for me.

This juggling act required of working parents can feel overwhelming. On top of that, along comes a survey by The Michigan Department of Education that says, more than budgets or teachers, parental expectations are key to a child’s academic achievement and social adjustment. Parents want and expect their children to love reading. But in today’s wired world, with video games, iPods, cell phones and countless other digital distractions, youngsters are plugged into everything but books. So, how do parents turn their expectations for their children to become readers into realistic goals? There is no magic answer, but it can start with a simple equation: Read a Book. Ask a question. Start a conversation.

The best thing about this formula is that it’s not another assignment for parents; it’s a fun way to spend time with their children. And in our fast-moving, media-saturated world, reading with children and having thoughtful conversations are more important than ever before. Conversations are where children first learn many of the skills they need to learn to read. Talk with children about the story, the pictures and their reaction to the book.

Winnie the Pooh’s advice on conversation is my rule of thumb when it comes to talking with children about the stories they read: “It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like, ‘What about lunch?’”

Some other thoughts for parents who want to make reading with their children enjoyable:

• A child’s desire to learn to read comes from being read to

• Enthusiasm and passion for stories are contagious. Parents needn’t waste precious time trying to convince their children of the importance of reading; they can just read them good stories

• Children need confidence to be good readers and confidence comes from understanding a story

• Be creative and find other times in a day – not just bedtime – when reading can happen. How about a poem with breakfast? How about a short story with a snack? How about one chapter with dessert after dinner?

• A child’s reading will improve the more he or she enjoys reading

• Offer children books that speak to both their reading level and their developmental readiness for the story

• Expect children to love reading and support that expectation by helping them find their “home-run” books – books that tap into their curiosity and interests, stories where they care about the characters and what happens to them

• Keep the love of story alive. While children hone their reading skills, encourage them to return to the picture books and early reads they loved when they were little; you are never too old to read a 32-page picture book!

• Don’t interrupt the reading of the story with explanations or editorials. A child can easily become annoyed and frustrated with too many interruptions

• Slow down. Encourage children to read fewer books and know them well. Children need comprehension – not speed – to be good readers

• Take the “assignment” out of reading to children and put in the pleasure of getting lost in a story together.

Last but not least – a good story and a cookie always go hand-in-hand.

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