5 Ways to Raise a Reader
How does one raise a reader? Magazines, news articles, and studies might implicitly or explicitly encourage us to teach our children to love reading, but it can be difficult to know exactly how to do so beyond daily reading habits. If you’re stuck mulling this question over, consider these five strategies.
1. Read aloud together
In many homes, reading aloud is often relegated to picture books, typically when your child is young and cannot read independently. But reading aloud is an excellent activity for any age—especially when your student is working through a book that’s just above their reading level. This way, they’re able to hear vocabulary and complexity that would be too difficult or frustrating to read on their own. You can also read easier books aloud and alternate between who’s doing the reading. This will help with fluency, and hearing you model sentence structure and difficult words can also advance your child’s reading skills.
2. Establish regular library habits
Make library visits (whether virtual or in person, once safe) a regular part of your family’s life. Depending on how many books you borrow at a time and how fast you and your child read, set up a weekly, biweekly, or monthly library date with your student. Teach your child how to look for books that they’re interested in, as well as how to use library resources like the library catalog. Establishing library visits (or e-visits) as part of your routine will help your student get a sense of the library as a community centerpiece and as a helpful resource for them personally.
3. Model your own reading life
Many children may not know what a reader is or what one looks like in real life, so watching you as a reader can often say much more than a verbal encouragement (or directive!) to read. If you’re hoping to raise a reader, model your own reading life. When your child goes to the library, borrow books too and talk about why you chose those books. Dedicate space in your home and in your day to reading, and talk about this with your student. If you make reading important in your own life, your child will see this and may begin to build their own version of a reading life.
4. Focus more on interest and variety than on level
With state standardized tests and class grades, it can be easy to get anxious about the level your child is reading at. You may want to discuss your student’s reading level with their teacher, but don’t insist that everything your child is reading be exactly on or slightly above their level. This can squash a child’s budding interest in reading and give them ideas about what “good” reading is, when there isn’t really a “good” or “bad.” If your student likes comics and graphic novels, encourage them to read them. If your child likes their younger sibling’s books, encourage them to read those too. You can always encourage them to try books or other written media outside their comfort zone, but don’t ban a specific kind of book because it doesn’t seem academic enough. Supporting general reading interest is key, and reading about anything enjoyable will often naturally encourage your student to explore different types of materials.
5. Incorporate speaking and thinking about reading into daily life
Engage with your child on what they’re reading about. Ask them about what interests them and how they feel while reading. Instead of an at-home book report, which can feel like another school assignment, engage them like you would after they’ve seen a movie they like. Also don’t forget that engaging doesn’t have to be verbal, especially since reading can be an escape—an activity your child can enjoy independently. Encourage them to journal about what they’ve read or to draw or create an art project based on what they’ve read.
Lastly, don’t forget the technology of today that can extend and expand upon your child’s reading habits. Audiobooks and podcasts are two excellent ways to explore reading beyond the page.
This article was written by Lisa Low.