Originally published by Scholastic Parents on October 24, 2022<\/em> As a parent of a young reader, you may be receiving mixed signals when it comes to your child\u2019s interest in reading or their enjoyment of books. Maybe you feel they don\u2019t read enough or they\u2019re hesitant to read, but show interest when they find the book that\u2019s \u201cjust right\u201d for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019re not alone: In a recent Scholastic survey, almost half of parents polled said their children like to read, but don\u2019t read enough \u2014 or don\u2019t read at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Raising a successful reader begins with simple steps, like modeling good reading habits for your child and creating a dialogue around books in your household.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMake reading a joyful and exciting part of daily life, from the time kids are very young, to help them build positive associations with books and reading,\u201d recommends Lauren Tarshis, senior vice president at Scholastic, editor-in-chief and publisher of Scholastic Magazines, and author of the I Survived series published by Scholastic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are three ways to help your child fall in love with reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When children see that books are not just for bedtime, but for learning and exploring the world, they\u2019ll start on a journey toward discovering their deep interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe can help kids connect reading to the learning of fascinating facts, to stories that will amaze them or make them laugh, to family discussions, and to learning journeys that start with or include books,\u201d Tarshis says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For younger readers, try placing books from a variety of different genres at eye level on the family bookshelves, so they have easy access and can see at a glance the range of subjects it\u2019s possible to read about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Older readers whose attention is captivated by visual media may be surprised to learn the worlds they explore on-screen can also be found in books, whether it\u2019s gaming manuals or novels based on films. These book extensions of multimedia offer an alternative way to bring your child to the page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More than 90 percent of kids enjoy the books they choose themselves. Start by asking your child about their current interests, and guide them toward books with these topics. For example, if they aren\u2019t forming a connection with novels, but are interested in history or science, perhaps they want to try nonfiction or biographies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some eyes may glaze over at the mention of \u201cnonfiction,\u201d but there are actually many kid-friendly options in this genre \u2014 far from the dry and dusty reference tomes some children (and adults) may equate the category with. Series like Who Would Win, I Survived, and Fly Guy Presents put the zaniness and fun of fiction into fact-based narration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since children are more likely to continue reading a series if they enjoyed the first book, your child will discover a spectrum of topics under the same umbrella \u201cuniverse\u201d they\u2019ve embraced \u2014 topics they might not have chosen to read about otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTaking cues from kids\u2019 interests, and building from there, is key,\u201d says Tarshis. \u201cGive kids as much choice as possible when it comes to what they read.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n And when your child does find a book they love, ask them about it. What did they like? Pay attention to the genre of the book. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several benefits of reading aloud with your child. However, more than 94 percent of parents save the read-aloud routine for bedtime, according to Scholastic\u2019s Kids & Family Reading Report<\/em>. Build book discovery into other parts of the day, and your child will have more opportunities to fall in love with reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOf course reading aloud is a great step, for parents and caregivers who can build this into the daily routine,\u201d Tarshis says. \u201cBut there are other fun and meaningful rituals that parents and caregivers can build around reading, like trips to the library or bookstore, or having \u2018reading parties\u2019 where you and your child read in fun or expected spots \u2014 like under a blanket fort in a cozy corner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n You might consider a \u201cmorning book basket\u201d to change up your read-aloud or shared reading routines. Inspired by a popular homeschool concept, a morning book basket is a container (it doesn\u2019t have to be a basket) where children can find a variety of books and activities to rummage through before they begin their day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With this approach, you may discover your child prefers to read in the morning, or you may want to \u201cbookend\u201d the day with reading to show how much you value the habit. Either way, you\u2019ll be encouraging self-discovery as well as cross-genre reading. The most important thing about creating a morning book basket practice is the time you carve out for you and your child to interact and discuss its contents. Make it a weekend ritual over pancakes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lastly, if your child doesn\u2019t take to reading right away, stick with it \u2014 and don\u2019t feel guilty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scholastic experts agree that while parents and teachers can do everything in their power to make sure a child has good reading role models and resources if they are struggling, it doesn\u2019t guarantee those children will love reading right away \u2014 or be strong readers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s so exciting when a child truly loves to read,\u201d Tarshis says. \u201cBut this idea \u2014 instilling a love of reading \u2014 can also put a huge amount of pressure on parents.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The reality is, falling in love with reading can take time. Tarshis adds that her four children were good early readers, but \u201cthey didn\u2019t love it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI blamed myself for not doing enough,\u201d Tarshis says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, in giving her youngest child a mix of guidance and the freedom to approach books at her own pace, Tarshis watched her daughter grow into an avid teenage reader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBy the time my fourth child came along, I took some pressure off myself \u2014 and didn\u2019t put pressure on her,\u201d she says. \u201cI took her to the library and bookstore all I could, tried to help her find books she would love, and talked about the books I was loving. Now she\u2019s in high school and a true reading fanatic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarshis\u2019 personal story is proof that connecting with books at any age can lead to a lifelong love of reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking for more tips? See all expert advice about establishing reading routines at home, including the benefits of reading to your child every night.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Create an unwavering and joyful connection to books with these tips. Originally published by Scholastic Parents on October 24, 2022Versioned for Scholastic Canada As a parent of a young reader,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":619,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[5,6,14,7,10,11],"class_list":["post-618","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reading-tips","tag-book-clubs","tag-book-fairs","tag-books","tag-parents","tag-reading-aloud","tag-reading-fluency"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
<\/em>Versioned for Scholastic Canada<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n1. Provide access to a variety of books.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Let kids choose their own books.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Create fun rituals beyond read-aloud time.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n