Motivating Kids to Read

Motivating kids to read can be somewhat a challenge.  You, as a parent know that reading is very important to your child in many different ways. But it also can be frustrating if your child doesn’t like to read.  Unlike when you were a kid, children in today’s society have so many other things to do than read.  I read as a child due to it was a form of entertainment to me. Today’s kids have video games, tons of different T.V. shows to choose from, and the many different activities that keep them busy.  But trying to find a time for your child to read doesn’t have to be as difficult as it sounds.

Keep books and other reading materials in your home. A child doesn’t have to start with a big book, but something small.  Magazines are a great way for your child to start reading.  Get an order to Highlight Reading Magazine to start them off. They will think its “Cool” to be getting mail once a month. After a few months they will start looking for the magazine.

Learn what your child’s hobbies, interest are. In doing this you will find out more about your child and guide him/her to books that will keep their interest and they will wish to read.

Reading a book from a movie. I know we all dislike doing this. But if your child doesn’t like to read, allow them to watch their favorite movie and then have them read the book. Have a discussion about the difference between the book and the movie.

Read Yourself! Reading yourself can show your children that reading can be enjoyable.  Even it’s just 10 minutes a day.  I hope by example that my children understand that reading can be just as much fun as a movie.

Set Limits. If all else fails. Set limits on everything.  If your child enjoys watching movies and T.V. tell him/her for every 30 minutes of T.V. time they need to read 15 minutes.  The same can go for video games as well. It’s more like a give and take with your child, but your child will think they are getting the better part of the deal due to they are getting 30 minutes of T.V. time and only have to read 15 minutes.

Reward System. You may also create a reward system for each book your child reads. You can set up the system so that your child get’s rewarded by reading each chapter in their book, just by each book they read or for the minutes they read.

 

Some great book ideas to get you started.

2-4 years age group:

A SIMPLE BROWN LEAF. As autumn is quickly turning to winter, a leaf reflects on his life as a vibrant green leaf. To his surprise, he discovers that he has worth in his "later days," too. This is an allegory about living life to its fullest … and accepting the surprises along the way. Author: L.J. Davis (Read together book)

NOISES AT NIGHT. What's that drip? and that scratch? Our young narrator explains that even though he's supposed to be asleep, adventures await him as he listens to the noises he hears at night. Keep your eyes open ... he'll show you them all. This is a first-person picture book about going to sleep. Author:  Beth Raisner Glass and Susan Lubner.  (Great book for 4-8 years old)

5-8 years age group:

MAX AND THE DOGLINS. One morning, while out in the barnyard, Max (a dog) heard Beryl (a hen) making lots of noise. When she left the hen house, he ran up to see what was going on. Beryl had laid an egg. Try as he might, he couldn’t keep away, and gulp! He ate the egg. This went on for days. Then one night, the doglins arrived to take over. Not only were they going to take Max’s things, they were going to start stealing Beryl’s eggs. With that, Max realized his mistake and decided to do something about it. He ousted the doglins and asked Beryl for forgiveness. This is a picture book about recognizing right from wrong, accepting the consequences, and doing the right thing. Author: Amanda Montgomery-Higham.  (Read together book. Child read themselves 7 to 9)

THE COTTON CANDY CATASTROPHE AT THE TEXAS STATE FAIR. Jake's first stop at the Texas State Fair is the Cotton Candy booth. As he enjoys his favorite confection, oblivious to the world, the fair is undergoing a pink transformation. This is a story that weaves a tall tale with fantasy.  Author: Dotti Enderle. (Read together book)

6-9 years age group:

A CAMPING SPREE WITH MR. MAGEE. Mr. Magee and Dee love the outdoors. So they hitch up the camper and head out of town. Mmm, roasting marshmallows on the campfire, watching the sun set over the nearby waterfall. Could there be a better way to end the day? Not when a bear tries to take your marshmallows and sends you – in your camper – down the hill and toward the falls. Oh no! This is an early reader story filled with rhyme, some humor, and a bit of suspense. Author: Chris Van Dusen. (Read together book. Read themselves 7-9 years old)

GOD'S GREEN LINIMENT. Alice and her Swedish-American family live on a farm near Rockford, Illinois. During summer harvest, Alice (6 years old) contracts a fever which the family doctor diagnoses as infantile paralysis (Polio). The prognosis is that she will never walk again. This is the story of how the family coped with the disease and how their belief in miracles was rewarded. This is a chapter book for the whole family. Author: Lois Johnson Rew. (Read together book)

10 years age group:

3 DOORS: CHOOSE WISELY. Brynwickville is a unique place on a normal day. Toss in an earthquake and Pirate Treasure Day and you've got a humdinger of a day! Six teens determined to win the prize find more than they imagined when the take a shortcut at the 3 Doors Bookstore. This is a fantasy adventure book for teens. Author: Kiane and Rochelle Simeon. (Read together 8-13 years old, read themselves 10-13 years old)

DODGER AND ME. The fate of the Bulldog's Little League season rests on Willie Ryan's shoulders. The next pitch will decide his fate: hit a single, the Bulldogs win and Willie's a hero. Strike out, the Bulldogs lose and Willie proves that he is "victory challenged." Lucky for Willie, he had Lizzie to compound the magnitude of the moment ... and the humiliation of striking out! He needed to be alone so Willie took the shortcut through the woods. When he spots a leftover food bag in a stream and picks it up, he gets the surprise of his life: out pops Dodger, a blue chimpanzee sporting a pirate patch. And Dodger has a plan. He'll grant Willie three wishes AND help him become a better baseball player. Will it work? This is a humorous first-person story about a fifth grader and his life. Author: Jordan Sonnenblick. (9-13 years old)

***Reading Summary’s taken from “The Reading Tub”. An online source.

Top Sellers Children’s Books:

Tales of Beedle the Bard (Harry Potter Series). This item will be available on December 4. Age Range: 9 to 12

Horton Hears a Who! Age Range: 4 to 8

Fancy Nancy: Bonjour, Butterfly. Age Range: 4 to 8

On the Night You Were Born. Age Range: For infants or children in preschool

Rodrick Rules (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series #2). Age Range: 9 to 12

Dirt on My Shirt. Age Range: 4 to 7

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake. Age Range: 3 to 7

Eve of the Emperor Penguin (Magic Tree House Series #40). Age Range: 6 to 9

Goodnight Moon. Age Range: For infants or children in preschool

Guess How Much I Love You. Age Range: For infants or children in preschool