Help Motivate Your Kids to Read

Studies show that the more children read, the better readers and writers they become. As a parent, you know that reading is important, and you probably feel frustrated if your child doesn't like to read. Many forces in children's lives pull them away from reading — television, video games, and after-school activities — but finding a way to incorporate reading and writing activities into your child's daily routine may not be as difficult as it seems. Try the following:

• Read books with your children! Children of any age can appreciate being read to.
• Be a good role model — let your children see you reading.
• Learn more about your child's interests and suggest books, magazines, and articles that relate to those topics.
• Keep books and other reading materials at home.
• Take your child to the public library. Let your child choose some books and you check out some others you think they might like. Lay them around and they may pick them up!
• Sometimes good movies are a starting point for pleasure reading — after seeing a movie based on a book, children may be motivated to read the book.
• Sometimes travel sparks reading, and finding books that relate to a place you visit on a family vacation can get a child hooked.
• Encourage your child to visit the FRES Library even when they don't have a scheduled library visit with their class! It is open throughout the school day.

Reading Aloud

Research and practice show that one simple activity — reading aloud — is the best way to prepare children for learning to read and to keep them reading as they learn and grow. Reading aloud helps your children develop the language skills that they will use in school and throughout their lives.

Reading aloud also creates a special time for you to bond with your children. Cuddle together as you share adventures. Laugh at silly characters, root for heroes, and wag your fingers at villains. And do it together. At the same time, you'll be helping your children develop a lifelong appreciation for reading.

Why read aloud? Because reading aloud:

• Is great fun, and it benefits your children's growth as readers and learners.
• Nurtures your children's love of both the written and spoken word.
• Gives you a chance to rediscover favorite stories and find new ones.
• Helps your children develop important language skills that will help them learn to read on their own.

Some great picture book authors to read aloud with your elementary age children include:

• Byrd Baylor
• Patricia Polacco
• Jane Yolen
• Eve Bunting
• Virginia Hamilton
• Folktales and Fairytales
• Poems by Jack Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein

• Book Hive
  • Guide to Children's Literature.