Raising A Reader | Smart Books for Smart Kids

Raising A Reader

In 1992, when our daughter, Rachel, was 3 days old, I brought her to the public library to get her first library card. Rachel is now all grown up and still has that same card today, which is well worn. When I look through old pictures of her childhood, there are countless shots of her reading a book or sitting on a relative’s lap, totally engrossed in the subject. She loved books from an early age, because her dad and I do too. We never forced reading on her, rather it was a natural process. And through her love of books, she developed a strong foundation to excel in academics.

Children see what you do more than they listen to what you say, and they really want to be just like you. The library for us is a special adventure; every time Rachel comes home, we head to our local branch and just browse the shelves. It’s a wonderland of not only books, but sheet music, movies, CDs, programs and art exhibits. And it’s all free! You can even read to a dog at our library!

As a visiting author I have been to many schools and camps where 70% of the children are below normal reading levels for their age. These are the children who often come from low income homes, where their parents may not be able to provide them with the reading tools they need at an early age. Additionally, there are also many cases of what’s known among Baumrind parenting styles as Neglectful parenting, where parents’ behaviors result in a child who performs poorly in school and not given proper attention for a educational foundation at home.

Fortunately there are many programs out there to help them advance their skills. Yet without the encouragement of their parents, it can be difficult for them to keep up with other students their age. Did you know that a person’s reading level is the single most important factor in determining his or her financial success in life?

You as a parent or teacher can make a huge difference in a child’s life by encouraging them to love reading in positive ways. Here are some tips about how to make your home ideal for young readers and other tips about encouraging reluctant readers.

Be patient.
Don’t push your child to read at an early age; let it come naturally.
Don’t compare your child to others at school. If you pressure your children, bribe them or make the activity of reading stressful in any way, reading will become a burden rather than a pleasure
Even if your child has a learning disability, he or she can learn to love books. The most important thing you can do is to make reading fun, and I can tell you firsthand that reading a high quality children’s book is one of the most entertaining things you can do together as parent and child.

Engaging Activities to Make Reading Even More Fun:

making reading fun

Write and illustrate a book together, then print some copies to share with friends and family. This cheap printing website is incredibly affordable and delivers great quality. Try out the “newsletter” option, upload a digital copy of the book, and wait eagerly at the window! For a more “official” option, try encouraging a love for reading by helping your child self-publish a children’s book. Going through the process of creating their own plot, characters, and writing will help them break down a story and better understand how all the parts work together.
Change up the reading environment. Take your child to the local library, have a picnic at the park, or create a designated reading corner in your home. Who doesn’t like settling into a cozy nook with a delicious drink and the birds chirping outside?
Act out scenes from a book in real life. Make the words come to life with a little imagination. Does the book you’re reading together feature farm animals? Make a deal to head over to the petting zoo to see the characters in action once the reading is finished.
Have some fun with online tools. The internet gets a bad reputation for lowering attention spans and distracting kids from reading books. However, I’ve found tons of great resources to supplement children’s reading progress. This comprehensive guide created by a preschool, for example, includes over 100 resources, including reading websites for elementary students to help young readers succeed.

Raising A Reader

Be patient.
Don’t push your child to read at an early age; let it come naturally.
Don’t compare your child to others at school. If you pressure your children, bribe them or make the activity of reading stressful in any way, reading will become a burden rather than a pleasure
Even if your child has a learning disability, he or she can learn to love books. The most important thing you can do is to make reading fun, and I can tell you firsthand that reading a high quality children’s book is one of the most entertaining things you can do together as parent and child.

Engaging Activities to Make Reading Even More Fun:

making reading fun

Write and illustrate a book together, then print some copies to share with friends and family. This cheap printing website is incredibly affordable and delivers great quality. Try out the “newsletter” option, upload a digital copy of the book, and wait eagerly at the window! For a more “official” option, try encouraging a love for reading by helping your child self-publish a children’s book. Going through the process of creating their own plot, characters, and writing will help them break down a story and better understand how all the parts work together.
Change up the reading environment. Take your child to the local library, have a picnic at the park, or create a designated reading corner in your home. Who doesn’t like settling into a cozy nook with a delicious drink and the birds chirping outside?
Act out scenes from a book in real life. Make the words come to life with a little imagination. Does the book you’re reading together feature farm animals? Make a deal to head over to the petting zoo to see the characters in action once the reading is finished.
Have some fun with online tools. The internet gets a bad reputation for lowering attention spans and distracting kids from reading books. However, I’ve found tons of great resources to supplement children’s reading progress. This comprehensive guide created by a preschool, for example, includes over 100 resources, including reading websites for elementary students to help young readers succeed.