This marks the first week of summer vacation for both of my children, and I’m faced with that age-old problem: How to keep two kids occupied for ten weeks without having them kill each other.
It also marks another page in my quiet efforts to turn them into devoted readers. You know, the kind that dive into a book without any prompting or prodding. (TV? What TV?) As a writer, of course, this is a cause that’s near and dear to my heart. After all, without readers, we’d be out of a job. And if I can’t turn my own kids into readers …
When they were younger, it was easier. Bedtime reading was a nightly ritual. As they’ve gotten older, though, I’ve tried to encourage independent reading as a pastime of choice, rather than a required activity. I’ve never wanted to turn reading a book into, “Eat your vegetables.”
The results have been … inconsistent.
My son, now thirteen, went from sporadic interest in books to DEVOURING the Harry Potter series last year. Since then – not so much. He read the first Eragon book, but only nibbled at the sequel. Recently, he’s read novelizations of the first three Indiana Jones movies, in fits and starts. And his dad’s been reading YA books to him lately. He does very well in school, but it’s hard to pique his interest in picking up a book on his own, especially if it isn’t movie-related. At Barnes & Noble, he’ll steer toward the graphic novels and Manga books … or stand by and wait for me to finish shopping.
My daughter, who turns nine next month, is showing more enthusiasm. She’s read the first five Harry Potter books (in fits and starts). At first I worried that she might just be trying to imitate big brother’s reading level, but she passed the school comprehension tests for each book. Lately she’s steered toward less demanding reading. But the last few mornings, she’s thrilled me by getting up in the morning and, instead of turning on the TV, going out in the shady front yard and diving into the Puppy Place series. We’ll see how long it lasts.
As writers, we compete with so much entertainment that offers the quicker gratification of images already built in – the TV, the movies, the graphic novels, the video games. I like to think I lead by example. I love to read. But how to instill that love, that thirst, for reading in my kids?
Any suggestions?
Sierra Donovan
June 17, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Pick a book that both children will like and have a read aloud period.
June 17, 2008 at 5:22 pm
My son, age 11, has devoured the Rick Riordan “Percy” series, based on Greek mythology. I think the first book is The Lightning Thief. I had to pre-order the two most recent books in the series so he’d have them ASAP. Good luck finding something to keep them going…
June 17, 2008 at 5:52 pm
One thing that worked with three of the four oldest grandsons
was getting each art supplies, letting each of them write and then illustrate, their own very basic story. This then led them
to reading books which were similar to theirs. Anime for the
oldest and Power Rangers for the younger two. They all are
reading “chapter” books of their own interests.
Pat Cochran
June 17, 2008 at 6:55 pm
As a teacher, this is a question that I’m asked all the time. As the mother of both an avid reader and a reluctant reader, my answer varies. What I always think about is how I read for pleasure. I don’t read at ‘grade level’ all of the time. Sometimes I want something simple and quick to read — the comics, the newspaper, a short story. A category/genre book. A magazine or nonfiction book.
Other times, I do want to dig into something deeper and may read a heavier tome or something that’s considered ‘classic.’ What I found with both of my boys is that if they’re reading anything, they’re reading. Magazines in their interests, comic books, nonfiction books about sports or rockets. The goal is to have them read something each day and that they enjoy, so they’ll want to be readers when they’re on their own and away from mom..
June 17, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Sierra, my son went through a period of not reading, except Harry Potter. Now he’s 16 and reads all the time. Don’t lost hope!
June 19, 2008 at 8:39 am
My kids read at the top of their classes but definitely don’t have the obsession with it that I did growing up. Sometimes I require a few chapters of reading in order for them to play video games. I’m not heavy-handed and I only do that with books they like so they really enjoy it, once they get into it. Reading is more “work” then anything electronic, after all.
My 14-year-old son has really enjoyed “The Five Ancestors” series by Jeff Stone. He’s read them as they were released and anxiously awaits each new one. We’ve met Stone, whose stories of getting published and how he came up with the books are inspiring.
My son just finished “Eagle” by Jeff Stone and I’m getting a sports fiction by Mike Lupica lined up for him. I find once they’re in the habit of reading some each day, it’s easier to keep the habit going.
Both kids also take piano, which is not always their choice to do. Again, I don’t demand a lot, just playing about 15 minutes a day, which keeps them progressing. I think we sometimes worry too much about “making them hate it.” A habit of doing something can be enjoyable in itself and they only learn that with encouragement.
Sorry for the long comment. This is a topic near and dear to my heart. Can you tell?