Getting Older Kids More Engaged in Reading
Reading is an activity that can be enjoyed by people of any age. When students are younger, they are often reading for skill acquisition. They are learning the basics of decoding new words, practicing using context clues, and improving their comprehension. But as they get older, they have already developed these skills. Reading is focused more on analysis and discussion.
High schoolers may lose some interest in pleasure reading because they are turned off by the required reading in school. Being forced to read a book is not the same as choosing to read it for enjoyment. Plus, with increasingly busy schedules, they may feel that they don’t have time to read for fun.
Here are a few ways you can help your older children stay more interested and engaged in reading:
Make Reading a Game
If your child likes competition, make a fun game out of reading different books. Create a book bingo board with each square being a different genre, type of book, theme, etc. For instance, you could include, “A book by your favorite author,” “A book that was written the year you were born,” “A book about an animal,” and “A biography.” Have the whole family participate and see who can get bingo first, make a specific pattern, or fill their whole card. Let your kids help decide what the prizes are so they’re more motivated to participate.
Read as a Family
Devote 30 minutes a day to doing nothing but reading. Everyone stops and gets out a book, magazine, graphic novel, research paper, or whatever interests them. Then sit quietly and read for the specified amount of time. Lead by example and show that reading is important and that everyone can make time in their day for it.
Get Involved at the Library
Sign your kids up for their own library cards and let them choose what books they check out. Talk to the librarian about recommendations based on your child’s interests. Librarians are a valuable resource as they have a wealth of knowledge about different types of books and can work with your child to find the right fit. Plus, it’s not a parent or teacher telling them they should read a certain book.
Encourage your child to get involved with programs at the library as well. A lot of libraries have book clubs and activities geared toward teens to keep their interest and make learning fun. This can also inspire them to read more about whatever the topic of the program was.
Do a Book/Movie Comparison
There are tons of movies that are based on books. Pick a new release, an old favorite, or one that your child has never seen and make a comparison between the book and the movie. You can go in either order — watching or reading first. Rarely do the two perfectly align, so talk about the differences, which one they preferred, how changes impacted the storyline or added value, or who they would have cast as certain characters. This can even work for comic book series.
Make books readily available for your kids, whether you buy them, borrow them, listen to audiobooks, or download eBooks. Let them read materials they find high interest, whether it’s comic books, graphic novels, short stories, poems, fiction, or non-fiction. Even if it’s not a genre or format you prefer, it’s important to support their choice (as long as the book is appropriate for their age).
Does your child struggle with their reading, comprehension, analysis, or critical thinking skills? Are they having trouble completing their research paper or book report? The team at Crafting Scholars is here to help. Contact us today to learn more!
Originally published at https://craftingscholars.com on February 29, 2024.
