Interesting article on CNN.com on getting children to read more. Teaching children to read is such a fine balance in schools. Getting children to love reading but also to impart upon them the skills they need to become better readers can be tricky particularly amongst boys. While we want to encourage children to read, by putting into place a variety of reading programs like Accelerated Reader; a lot of times those same programs drive children away from a love of reading.

James Patterson says,

“The best way to get kids reading more is to give them books that they’ll gobble up — and that will make them ask for another. Yes, it’s that simple. 1 + 1 = 2. Kids say the No. 1 reason they don’t read more is that they can’t find books they like. Freedom of choice is a key to getting them motivated and excited. Vampire sagas, comics, manga, books of sports statistics — terrific! — as long as kids are reading. Should they read on e-tablets? Sure, why not? How about rereading a book? Definitely. And don’t tell them a book is too hard or too easy. “Great Expectations”? Absolutely. “Finnegans Wake”?Well, maybe not. And remember, books can be borrowed free at libraries.”

In the article, James Patterson also pinpoints the important role that parents need to play in encouraging reading at home by being role models. In my years in the classroom, one of the differences in children who are readers and children who are not, is the priority that parents place on reading for enjoyment. The more children see the influential people around them prioritizing and loving books and literature, the more children are encouraged to read. There is a crucial partnership that parents and teachers need to have. 

Here are several tips I give to parents when asked about how to foster reading at home:

• Find a place and time free of distractions: While bedtime is the most popular time to read, anytime where you can focus on the book with the child is important.
• Be creative and Use expression: Even though it may not be the thing that you are most comfortable with, using voices and expression bring stories alive for children. They will sit rapt and attentive as they listen to the stories you are reading.
• Re-read favorite books: We know. We feel your pain as you site reading Cat and the Hat for the 20th time in one day. However, re-reading a book allows children to learn stories and words by heart which is part of the process of reading. Those words are used in many other places and children learn to recognize those same letter combinations in other places. Children also begin to feel confident as readers when they begin “reading” their favorite books even though they are actually just re-telling the story from their memory. These are important first steps.
• Talk about the books you read: Talking with your child about the books you are all reading begins to help students understand that there are messages and ideas behind the words and that it is important to delve deeper and think about what is happening. Checking with your child by asking about the chapter or pages they have read also provides accountability for children who may be rushing to do other activities.
• Allow children to choose: While you may have loved Black Beauty when you were younger, children today may not understand the context and be turned away. Allowing children to choose from their own interests, as it fits in the context of your family values, gives children a sense of ownership over their own reading.
• Pick both fiction and non-fiction books: We generally tend to gravitate to the fiction section of the bookstore, but there are some great non-fiction books out there that can really connect students. Imagine getting a Stars and Constellations book and going outside at night and seeing the constellations you have bee just reading about! Some powerful learning and connections can happen.

These are just some tips I give to parents. This is why Home Reading programs are so important to classes. In my class, it’s not about giving another thing for homework. It’s about fostering, enabling and supporting parents in developing children into fanatic readers.

That is why we designed PocketTales to help children rediscover a love of reading by helping to share and find great books! 

What do you think? Do you think parents do enough to foster reading at home? Or do you think schools need to do more? What influenced you as a reader? Let us know in the comments!

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