Motivating Children to Read

Some pointers I got off an e-learning resource for teachers on Motivating Children to Read:

1. Learn more about your child's interests and suggest books, magazines, and articles that relate to those topics.
2. Sometimes good movies are a starting point for pleasure reading — after seeing a movie based on a book, children will be motivated to read the book eg. the Harry Potter series, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
3. Sometimes travel sparks reading, and finding books that relate to a place you visit on a family vacation can get a child hooked.
4. Keep books and other reading materials at home.
5. Read aloud with and to your children every day! Children of any age can appreciate being read to. Experts recommend 30 minutes a day. Choose genres that your child prefers.
6. Be a good role model — let your children see you reading for work or learn something, and for pleasure.
7. Create a print rich home environment. Include both books (and books on tape) and writing materials. Include newspapers and child-oriented versions of popular magazines (e.g., Time for Kids, National Geographic for Kids). Set aside a special reading area in your home and make sure everyone uses it.
8. Read and write with your children in your home language. Let your child see you reading and writing in the language(s) which are most comfortable to you. Stock your home library with books in English and books in your home language. Let your child read at home for fun in whichever language she prefers.
9. Cook with your child to develop literacy. Read recipes together. Read the labels on ingredients together. Make a family cookbook of favourite recipes.
10. Explore books together. Ask your child questions. Point out new vocabulary and ideas. Explore the characters motivations and relate them to your family life.
11. Tell stories together. Talk together about your family history and perhaps, do a geneology chart. Look at old vacation photos and discuss your memories of the trip. Tape your storytelling.
12. Write with your child. Provide lots of writing materials and papers. Encourage your child to draw and write on her own. Encourage your child to write thank-you notes to grandparents, make to-do lists, write signs such as 'Tory's room. Keep out!' and the like.
13. Visit the library often. Encourage your child to get her own library card. Take advantage of library programmes such as family book clubs. Find out who are your child's favorite authors and genres and go with him to the library in search of interesting books.

The list is not exhaustive. In times when we're busy, let's not forget the importance of encouraging our children to read.