I was visiting some friends over the weekend and was amazed to find out how little their children were reading. My friend has two boys, ages seven and nine. From the moment I hit the door they were both busy wearing out two video game controllers. I asked what was planned for the next day and was told how much they were looking forward to a movie (Monster vs. Aliens). Of course, there is nothing wrong with kids watching movies or getting that pixel high from video games, but it's no secret that the reading level of many youths and adults is not where it should be, not to mention the level of interest in written media.
So, since we're competing with all of this electronic entertainment, how can parents get kids more interested in reading? Can reading be presented in a way that isn't a complete bore?
Here are a few suggestions:
1. Let your child know how excited you are to read. You are their greatest role model. If they see you reading, over time your example may have a good effect. Let them understand that you loved that movie you saw, but that you loved the book even more. Tell them why, and put some enthusiasm in your voice when you do.
2. Before allowing your child to view a movie that has a book version that's readable for their age, tell them they must read the book with you first. (A great example of this is, Charlie and the Chocolate factory by Roald Dahl). Make it fun as if it were a movie night. Reading night can also include popcorn and sweets! Then after your child actually sees the movie, encourage him/her to voice which one was better. For example you could ask: If you could only hear the words in the movie, with no sounds or visual effects, would it have been better than the book? Why or why not?
3. Alternately you could have a family read around night. Begin by reading a page in a book that seems interesting to your child. Pass the book to the next person. Each member of the family reads a page of the story and tries to animate the story by the way they read out loud. Eventually, the kids will be competing to see who can read in the most entertaining way.
4. Have an artistic night where the children can draw, paint, or sculpt the various characters and scenes from the story. Combine with reading night or do it as a stand alone.
5. Reward your child with a theme dinner. For example, if they just finished reading James and the Giant Peach, then you could do a theme dinner featuring foods and ideas from the book. Kick it up a notch by making it a costume party.
Don't stop there. This is by no means an exhaustive list. There are dozens of other ways to generate a buzz around books! Once you start brainstorming ideas, they will keep coming and coming.
CT
