One More Chapter, Please! How We Fostered a Family of Forever Readers
When my oldest came home from school, she hated reading. Now, she reads constantly - fun books, challenging books, read-alouds. Her life is filled with stories. This is the story of how we became a family of readers.
First, (& this may seem counter-intuitive) I stopped pushing reading. Instead, I started reading to my kids. I read ANYTHING that they enjoyed. I started with short stories.
GREAT stories
The BEST stories ever written
I used the library to find classics. I read to them at night, during breakfast, in the car, while they brushed their teeth (you get the idea).
We read the best stories from all around the world. Stories filled their lives. But it didn't stop there.
I started reading for myself too. I got books from the library. Physical books my kids could SEE. I read & made sure my kids SAW me reading. Young kids want to do what you are doing. If you don't read, why would they be interested?
Then, one day a Twist. I started reading books with cliffhangers. When the chapter finished, I would hear "NOOOOOO.. one more chapter!!!" I said "you are welcome to read ahead" And she did. Thus began her days of reading every day.
She woke up reading, read before breakfast, read AT breakfast, read in the car, read everywhere. She was used to stories filling her life, so she filled her life with stories.
I took her to the library, let her pick anything (age appropriate). We went every week. She started to devour books. Once she loved reading, I started putting beautiful books in her path, the great books, the ones parents want their kids to read.
She read them because she loved to read & loved stories. But I didn't stop there I still read to my kids EVERY night & we listen to audiobooks so they can hear great orators. I STILL read myself. I became a reader to help my kids become readers.
Recap: How to become a family of readers
1. Stop pushing reading
2. Fill kids' lives with GREAT stories
3. Read YOURSELF
4. Try Cliffhangers
5. Never stop reading to them
6. Become a reader
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” ~Dr. Suess
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