Tips for reading: Improving reading experiences with your children – for families with reluctant readers to families with vivacious readers.
*We use affiliate links and may earn commission from purchases made through those links. All opinions are our own.
This is not advice. It is simply a compilation of tips for reading with kids that have worked for me. Each child, family, and situation is different. Please seek a professional’s opinion if you need to. Please enjoy a few of our tips for reading with kids.
Getting kids to read
Some kids are not as interested in reading as other kids. And that’s okay! Everybody’s different. But, it is important to encourage your children to read – even if they fight it. Here are a few ways to promote reading with your children:
- Model good reading habits. If you read willingly and for fun, your kids will pick up on that. Make sure you’re setting the example.
- Read with your kids. They may be struggling with comprehension, insecurities, or vocabulary. By reading with them, you may be able to pinpoint what they’re struggling with.
- Let your kids pick the books. Letting your children pick books they are attracted to, are about topics they enjoy, include pictures, or are based on TV shows is GREAT! Whether they’re reading a graphic novel, picture book, magazine, nonfiction book, or chapter book, the key is that THEY’RE READING.
- Read Aloud to Your Kids. Not only is a great bonding experience, it helps children engage their imaginations and hear the cadence and rhythm books have, as well as learn new words. PLEASE READ ALOUD TO YOUR KIDS WHO CAN READ ON THEIR OWN. READING ALOUD SHOULDN’T STOP WHEN THEY CAN READ ON THEIR OWN.
It’s important to promote reading at home even for kids who enjoy reading.
Finding the right book for kids’ reading levels
If a child isn’t sure if a book is going to be a good fit, regarding his/her reading level, here’s a method we use to check: Have the child read one page in the book. If he/she doesn’t know or isn’t sure of five of the words on the page, maybe try an easier book.
This doesn’t mean that we should be discouraging our kids from reading books that interest them. For those more challenging books, offer to read them with him/her. That way, you can discuss hard to understand concepts and/or new words together. An opportunity for learning and bonding!
Staying focused during read-aloud time
Sometimes kids get distracted when we’re reading aloud to them. And that’s okay! They’re still learning!
But, one way to keep kids’ hands busy while you’re reading aloud is to encourage them to engage in art. Nothing complicated – just paint, markers, or crayons with some paper. Their hands will be busy and their minds will be engaged in the rhythm of the book.
Pictured is what we’re reading over here during this time we’re at home.⠀
Reading books about imperfect characters
Tracey West, in the September 16, 2019 issue of Publishers Weekly, wrote an article about this topic, and I found it interesting and applicable to many complaints I hear regularly.
Books with imperfect characters, such as Junie B. Jones (from the series by Barbara Park) or David from No, David by David Shannon, can help kids learn how to handle emotions. Some families shy away from books with characters who struggle to behave. Parents don’t want their children to behave like Junie B. or David. But, instead of banning these types of characters, it may be helpful instead to read books with imperfect characters and talk about appropriate and healthy ways to handle emotions.
“Kids like characters and situations that are imperfect because they can relate to the imperfections and impulses these characters demonstrate.” –Tracey West, Publishers Weekly, September 16, 2019
These types of characters make children feel like they’re not alone.
