Parenting/Education
Cultivating Book Worms: Preparing Your Child to Make a Lifetime of Reading Choices
It's no surprise that once you instill a love of reading in your children they will carry it with them throughout their lives. But how can you do it? Local authors Kathy Blasi, Marsha Hayles, Linda Sue Park, Robin Pulver, and Vivian Vande Velde share their tips and tricks on how to help your children form a lifetime love of reading.
Find the Time
"Find twenty minutes every day to read to and with your children," says Linda Sue Park. "Bedtime is a natural choice. You read; they read; take turns." She suggests that for younger kids who are not reading words yet, you can let them 'read' the illustrations to you. "Kids whose parents don't like to read, have a much higher hill to climb in terms of becoming good readers themselves. If you don't like to read yourself, FAKE IT for those twenty minutes – your child's future depends on it!"
Pick a Winner
"It is a very good idea to let kids choose their own books," says Vivian Vande Velde. "Look at it this way: How would you like it if someone was always choosing the books YOU should read? And now, imagine how you would feel if the person doing the selecting for you was always trying to teach you things, always making you read things people considered 'good for you.' If you think your child is limiting him or herself by only choosing one sort of book, it's natural that you'd want to expand the child's horizons." But, she suggests you do it gradually. "Start by reading a book your child has picked totally on his own. For your next book, try to find something that has one thing in common with that first book. Let's say your child picked something like Zombie Pirates of Death. You might suggest another book that has spooky overtones, but that maybe has more going for it than pure horror and gruesomeness. Perhaps you could try a different kind of monster book such as Bruce Coville's The Monster's Ring, a supernatural mystery such as James Howe's Bunnicula books, or maybe a non-fiction that tells about the background behind such legends such as Jane Yolen's Pirates in Petticoats."
You should also consider locale. "If the first story your child selected was set in a specific time or place you might choose another book with that same setting," she says. "If you can find a book set in a place your child has visited he might enjoy revisiting places he's seen." For example, Sally Valentine has books set in Rochester while Laurie Calkhoven has a book set in Boston.
Vivian adds, "Does your child have a particular interest or hobby? Kate Messner's Sugar and Ice will appeal to kids who like ice skating; Alice DeLaCroix's books are perfect for those who love horses; Linda Sue Park's Keeping Score is about baseball; MJ Auch and Vivian Vande Velde both have books about dogs."
Try Different Media
Listening to audio books is another way for a child to try a more challenging book. Another way to ease children into trying a different genre might be to rent a movie that's been made from a book. You can then talk about the differences between the two forms.
When the Lord of the Rings came out in film, Kathy Blasi's daughters wanted to see it, but her husband wouldn't let them until they read the book. Kathy thought they would never sit through that – but they did. He read all of them aloud and they were riveted. She thinks this is where they really became huge fantasy fans, even beyond the Harry Potter craze. Her youngest daughter recommends the Warriors Series by Erin Hunter.
Tips for Tweens and Teens
Authors frequently hear from high school students who are frustrated by their summer required reading lists. These lists are often assigned to eager readers who would much rather spend their summer reading time with titles of their own choosing.
Marsha Hayles suggests keeping an ever-changing basket of books in the kids' bathroom and bedroom. "Let the child's interest be his or her guide. Keep reading aloud to your kids, even when your children can read independently and especially when they become teenagers," she says.
"Read aloud short stories or novels and don't overlook non-fiction. Reading aloud is as much about the bond between reader and listener as it is about what's being read. So, if your son or daughter is not enjoying the book, find a different one." Marsha reminds parents that they don't need to play the role of the teacher and make reading together an educational experience. "View it as an enjoyable way to spend time with your child," she says. "Read aloud favorite books from your own childhood, but if your child doesn't like the story, put it aside and go on to something else. Don't force your child to listen to a book you think he or she should love. Follow your child's interest and enthusiasm."
Start Them Young
Robin Pulver tells the following story: "Once at a book-signing, a young child seemed to fall in love with one of my picture books (Christmas for a Kitten). Her mother, who was eager to buy a book for her, opened it and said, "Read this." My heart sank. Picture books are not written for beginning readers. They're not supposed to be easy readers. Their vocabulary is often rich and colorful. Most picture books are meant to be shared and read aloud, together. The child silently stared at the page, perplexed. Even as she gazed at the beautiful illustrations, I could see her enthusiasm drain. Her mom said, 'Well, this is not a good book for you, because you can't read it.' They walked away." Robin says that the mother missed the point of what most picture books are all about. "They're about reading aloud, sharing a story, interacting with high quality art," she says. "They're about introducing a child to the flow of language, new vocabulary. They're about creating a loving environment that encourages a desire to learn to read. They're about setting the stage for a lifetime of learning and facing life's challenges. Making choices is difficult for anybody. When a child chooses a book, she is making a statement about what matters to her. That deserves attention and respect."
Robin also shares the story about children's lit blogger Jen Robinson (her blog is Growing Bookworm) who recently gave birth to a premature baby girl. "While the tiny preemie stayed in the hospital, Jen read aloud to her," says Robin. The first book Jen read to 'Baby Bookworm' was The Secret Garden, one of Jen's own childhood favorites. "A child is never too young to be exposed to beautiful language, especially when carried by the voice of a loving parent whose enthusiasm is contagious," Robin adds. "Jen is creating mother-child bonds that will last a lifetime. She is also preparing her child to make a lifetime of reading choices, some thoughtful, some impulsive, a vast array of opportunities for learning and growth."
Elizabeth is a local author living in the Rochester area. She is a retired elementary teacher and an adjunct professor at SUNY Geneseo. She loves to read. When her son Ben was younger he kept track of how many "Mom!" calls it took to rouse her out of whatever novel she was caught up in. His all-time record was 17 "Moms!"
This article originally appeared in the October 2010 issue of Genesee Valley Parent Magazine. Copyright 2010.
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