This was the gist of today's Booking Through Thursday that is circling around and that apparently blogger won't let me copy and paste into my blog. And I am lazy because, I STARTED MY 4 DAY WEEKEND. Yes, that required shouting.
Anywhoo... My suggestions to be taken with a grain of salt. If it is a child, who claims to hate to read, I always first try to determine if they are having trouble reading. Since a surefire way to not like something is when one cannot do it well.
Barring any issues in that department. I start to question their sanity. How can you not like to read, child??? I kid. I kid. I ask them what they are interested in. Not related to books. Do you play sports? Do you like to run? Are you a fan of dolls? What is your favorite television show? Is there something you want to learn more about? Then I use these answers to come up with some reading selections.
A boy who likes sports? Matt Christopher. Scooby Doo fan? Here is a book. A fan of comedy? Captain Underpants to the rescue. Mysteries? Goosebumps. Michigan Chillers. Whatever. So it may not be "great literature," but it doesn't need to be. Hook em' with what they like and they will eventually venture out. Will it mean they will enjoy Shakespeare? No. Will they suddenly want to read the entire canon? Probably not. But, I am a firm believer in reading a gossip rag is better than being illiterate.
I remember growing up, my parents had us watch the nightly news with them every night and got two newspapers a day. I read them both willingly. My brother read the Sports sections in each. We both read every day. My dad read the newspaper and the occasional Mitch Albom or Ohio State related book. My mom always had a magazine and/or book going on. Reading was all around us. Yeah, my brother hasn't read a book since Junior High, but I read every day.
Positive experiences and encouragement go a very long way. Oh and a library membership that I believe everyone should have.
How did your parents shape you into becoming a reader? Or a non-reader? ::shudder:::
10 comments:
Great post and Happy 4 day weekend! I think you are definitely right about finding something kids are interested in. I think the saddest thing is that a lot of kids in 3rd, 4th grade love reading and then they are forced to read so much....BLAH stuff in middle school/high school and even college that it's hard to go back to pleasure reading again. It's not even teachers fault because most have curriculum they have to follow. Also I think some of the "classics" tend to turn off a lot of kids. I know my fiance had totally given up on reading until he started to get into one or two authors he liked in the past couple of years.
I've just ALWAYS read. My parents would read to me as I fell asleep and there were always books around. I can't ever remember NOT reading!
Enjoy your 4-day weekend! XO
I have to say that I have just ALWAYS read, too.
I don't remember how I became so addicted to the book, but I think the library card is a good start for kids. It's neat to get to pick out your own books.
I also am a huge supporter of reading aloud to children, even when they get a little bit older.
I'm a big believer of starting early. My parents read to us when we were little - every night before bed. When we were home in the summer my mom had us do D.E.A.R. time (drop everything and read). Weirdly enough, even with all that, my brother and sister aren't really big readers, but I LOVE it!
Great post! So true - you should be able to find something that a child can relate to. I buy books for my nephews for every holiday & always pick books w/ characters or animals that they are into at that moment. They all love being read to, so I am hoping that trend continues! I can't wait to share some of the books I loved when they get a little older!
My parents definitely instilled a love of reading in me, as did both sets of grandparents. My parents read to us when we were little and I can remember my mom reading 'The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe' to my older sister & I. We were both old enough to read, but she would read it aloud to us and it is such a special memory!!
Great topic!
I used to hate reading when I was younger because I'de rather watch TV or hang out with friends. And I think more younger kids should get hooked on reading. Great post!
My dad was (and still is) a big reader growing up. He didn't go anywhere without a book tucked under his arm and it just sorta rubbed off on me. I read ALL THE TIME as a kid, my mom had a hard time getting me to go to sleep at night because I wouldn't put the book down.
I think it made a huge difference that I was introduced to books BEFORE I began school. This way I wasn't behind, I was ahead in school.
I had trouble reading as a child so I had a tutor and then when I finally knew how to read I couldn't stop. I would always have two books cause my mom would hide one so she could get me to do my chores but I always had a backup!
I wish I remembered... I honestly have no idea. As far as I remember I've always loved reading :) Even when I didn't know how to read I would grab a comic book (the french ones - like Tintin or Asterix & Obelix) and just look at the pictures :)
I loved reading Matt Christopher!
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