Kids who read perform better during the school year and are less likely to experience a summer slide in grades when they continue to read during the holidays. Here are some great tips for encouraging kids to read and enjoy it.
Tips for Encouraging Kids to Read
Literacy is an important life skill, and it is one that can be at risk when kids don’t read, especially during school breaks. Students and children with access to books over these breaks have higher reading test scores, a better ability to comprehend books, and think critically. Getting kids to read, especially over the summer break, can be a challenge for parents, but there are simple ways to ensure that they do, and it will benefit them for their whole lives.
Benefits of Reading Programs
Get kids involved in reading programs at the local library. These programs provide kids from kindergarten, usually through the end of junior high, with a community of fellow readers, books, incentives to read and prizes, in addition to exposing them to a group of new books and reading goals.
Many reading programs have a set reading list, which is provided by the library. Other reading programs have a number of books or pages they encourage kids to read and provide incentives for reaching and exceeding goals. These programs teach kids to love reading and how to set and achieve their own goals, which is also important.
If a local library isn’t holding a reading program, start one at home. Choose a number of books to read with a child over a specified time for example 14 or 30 days, and provide incentives like trips to a park or a movie when they reach certain goals. Encouraging kids to read will foster a love of reading.
Parents Should Read With Children
Parents who read to their children from a young age foster a love of reading and learning, and lead by example. Many children emulate the behavior of their parents. Showing a love of reading will encourage students to love reading as well, and reading with children can improve their reading comprehension and increase their enthusiasm for books.
Whether a parent is reading a bedtime story to a child, or simply reading at home, the attitude of parents toward books is a major influence over whether or not children will enjoy reading.
I have been reading to our kids since they were born. Even though they are now teenagers, they can still be found, multiple times a day, with their nose in a book.
Kids Need to Have Books at Home
Whether the books are checked out from a local or school library, bought at a bookstore or used bookstore, or borrowed from friends, having books available is an important part of encouraging kids to read. Studies have shown that children with books in their homes stay in school longer, test better, and have higher rates of literacy and reading comprehension.
Organizations like Breaking the Chain and publishing companies like Scholastic often provide children’s books for low-income families and schools, making it easier for families and educators to provide students with books they want to read. Ensure that children have easy access to books, and they are likely to read them.
A love of reading is one of the most important parts of an education. Children who can read well are more likely to perform better, and get the most benefit from their education.
Reading Themed Printables
Reading for Kids
- Yearly Bible Reading Plan
- 60 Books Your Kids Should Read
- Roald Dahl Resources & Activities
- Little House in the Big Woods Resources
- Farmer Boy Resources
- On the Banks of Plum Creek Study
- Alice in Wonderland Study
- Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Study
- Charlotte’s Web Study
- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Study
- James and the Giant Peach Study
- Peter Pan Printables
- Sarah, Plain & Tall Study
- The Witches Study
- The Mouse and the Motorcycle Study
- Mr. Popper’s Penguins Study
Edible Marshmallow Playdough
We have noticed too with our children, regarding reading and when it comes to Scripture memorization, that putting it to song has helped so much. We like to use Love & Purity’s Scripture podcasts, but doing it yourself, if any of your family members play musical instruments, is even better (or just use your voice!) We all, including my husband and myself, are singing these songs all day long to ourselves! It’s wonderful!
I am not sure how it’s contributed to their ability to read, honestly, but since singing Scripture, they have become better readers. There has to be a correlation there somehow, because there’s been an obvious difference even in their WANTING to learn to read. Maybe, as they read, they are putting it to music in their heads? I am curious if any other families notice a correlation in this!
I have a son with dyslexia and a daughter with Down syndrome. I love to read, but it’s a struggle with these two. Thanks for the reminder to keep on reading to them 🙂