When looking for ways to get kids off the computer or away from the T.V., common sense prevails. Children will only willingly participate in an activity if it is fun. And what makes an activity fun for a child? Think humor, imagination and a hands-on approach.
Four Kid-Friendly Ways to Get Them to Enjoy Reading
Play some Mad Libs. Everyone has played Mad Libs at one time or another. They are the sneaky and fun way to teach grammar and reading skills. Each Mad Libs book contains a short one page story that has several words missing that the reader has to fill in for himself.
The missing word is always a part of speech that is indicated under the blank (noun, name of person, adjective, etc.). The reader then fills in a random word that correlates with the missing part of speech and reads the story out loud. The results are intended to be fun and silly and get kids (and adults too) to familiarize themselves with parts of speech.
Get creative with Magnetic Poetry. Magnetic poetry is a fun and impulsive way to get creative. Each Magnetic Poetry kit contains hundreds of magnetic words that the user can display to form their own poems. While the premise behind Magnetic Poetry might have been to help people unleash their inner poet, parents can go a little further and use these fun magnets to encourage their kids' creativity and reading skills by reciting their finished works out loud.
Participate in a reading challenge. Most libraries and some school have summer reading programs that double as a reading challenge to get kids eager to read over their vacation. The Reading is Fundamental (RIF) group was one of the first organizations to form a summer reading program for young readers. A typical reading challenge consists of setting a goal amount of books a child will read over the summer, keeping a log of the books read and at the end of the competition each participant is presented with an award. The awards can vary from medals, treats like ice cream and pizza or an invitation to attend a special show.
Capitalize on popular literary trends. Book series' geared toward young readers such as Harry Potter, Twilight and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe have been a successful way to get uninterested older readers reading.
Encourage Reading in the Household
Children not only do what they are told, they also emulate the behaviors that they see on a daily basis. In order to promote reading as a household-wide activity, it is important that all members of the household actively engage in reading. Teach kids that reading doesn't need to be strictly school-issued books, and that they can read what interests them: magazines, newspapers and even age appropriate comic books can all build strong literary foundations in youngsters. Setting aside a certain amount of time on a daily basis for the family to read together is also a great way to promote literacy and family time.
Reading as a Lifelong Pursuit
Children that do better in school and are proactive readers are likely to be those children whose parents introduced reading at an early age. By fostering early reading habits in children as young as newborns, reading can become a natural and vital part of the growth process. Consequently, it is never too old to develop a love for reading, sometimes all it takes is the right book at the right time.
Remember, the key to get kids reading is to start them early, keep it fun and do it regularly. By following these tips and tricks every child can enjoy reading.
 |
