Keeping Your Kid Reading
January 29, 2008
When your kid’s in elementary school and they’re reading hundreds of books a month, you don’t think you need to worry about this. But you’re wrong.
Eighth graders are a lot more busy than fifth graders. More homework, more rehearsals, more time spent with their friends. And what loses out? Reading, of course. Part of it is, in the words of one teen, “After all those words in my homework, the last thing I want to do is read more.” But students who read on their own become the strongest readers and writers, and they get the most out of our cultural and intellectual atmosphere.
According to the Oregonian ( 2008-1-27,A11), eighth grade “students who never read for fun are a year or more behind the class in reading ability.”
So what’s the deal? How can we help our kids keep reading? The best way may be to restrict them from reading. One sneaky teacher convinces kids to read John Steinbeck by making the kids get parental permission first. Another good way is to read yourself, and to have lots of books around. School librarians have the best chance of being able to match kids and books, but if you spend the time reading a stack of young adult books, you could at least talk with your kids about the books.
It could be your own private book club!
- Posted in : Advice
- Author :russ
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