I am having trouble getting my 12-year-old to do his nightly required reading. He is a pretty good student, but we fight about his reading log every single night. My friends are saying the same thing about their kids; they never pick up a book forfun and they argue when they have to read for school. What can we do?
A recent report from Common Sense Media stated that about one third of 13-year-olds and almost half of 17-year-olds said that they read for pleasure fewer than two times a year. That is outrageous! Still, I was not surprised to read the findings of this report. Year after year, as digital devices become more
• Read. There is no better way to encourage a child to enjoy a good book
• Buy
• Limit screen time. For most children, it is easier to play a video game or watch TV than it is to generate pictures in your imagination as you read and make sense of written material. If you want your child to read more, you’re going to have to endure his complaints. “I don’t feel like reading right now. My head hurts. It’s boring. It’s hard.” Be kind, acknowledge his feelings about wanting to be “plugged in” to something, and put your feet up with a good book. He may decide that since there’s nothing “better” to do, he may as well join you.
• Make reading about love and connection. Cuddle up with your child while you take turns reading aloud. Get cozy on the couch as you each share a bowl of popcorn while you read anything — even a comic book! Transform reading from an isolated experience that she has to log for 20 minutes into something that feels good, and you’ll be on your way to helping your child fall in love
I have often said that if a child completes high school with a passion for learning and a love of reading, his education will have been a success. Don’t give up on helping your child discover the endless gifts