Moms Vibe:
By Krystle J. Bailey
Summer reading lists will be coming home soon and kids will be faced with balancing their desire to relax all summer with the need to complete their annual reading challenge. For my oldest, summer reading has always been a chore and a headache that we both give up on by the end of summer. For my youngest, however, I’ve been trying things a little differently to encourage a love of reading, including paying him when he completes a book.
Years ago I had the privilege of listening to world renowned author and motivational speaker, John Maxwell speak at a conference. I don’t remember much from his speech at this point but one thing that stuck out to me was his conversation about how his parents inspired his love of learning. He explained that he never got paid to do chores at home, as certain things were expected of him simply because he lived there. What his parents did pay him to do was read books.
For each book he read, he earned an allowance. This kept him motivated year-round to complete one book after the next. Needless to say, he became incredibly well versed and educated through the books he was reading and has gone on to become an internationally recognized motivational speaker.
While all of our children’s lives will inevitably chart different paths, it goes without saying that books can take them further than they could ever imagine. Only good things can come from a love of reading instilled at an early age.
As we get ready for those summer lists, start implementing the encouragement of recreational reading now. Here are some ideas to foster an appreciation of books in your home this year.
Lead by example
As with all things, our children follow our example. Set aside 15 or 30 minutes daily, or even a few times per week, that is quality reading time where you and your children spend time reading together. Whether you help them read their book or you sit together while independently reading, the planned quality time will be something your child looks forward to. Even when you’re not reading together, picking up a book throughout the day, if even to read a few pages, is a behavior that kids can see and model.
Pay per book
Depending on how your child is motivated, paying a book allowance may be the golden ticket. Even if they already love reading, an added incentive of 25-50 cents per book is a great way to push their reading goals. I’ve started using this method with my 7-year-old son who recently discovered his love of reading. He went from reading one chapter book per week to 1-2 books per day.
Ask questions
Get involved in the storyline of your child’s book. Bring the story to life by asking questions about the plot and characters then making connections to your child’s personal life. In combination with the book allowance, I have my child tell me about the book’s plot and main characters then begin a conversation about the story. He is excited to tell me about the characters and it assures me that he actually read the words.
Always carry a book
Keep it oldschool. Instead of making the tablets and iPhones top of the list when you leave the house, make sure you’re grabbing a book. Similar to how parents put veggies on the table before dinner to encourage healthy foods first, encourage healthy reading habits as a first form of entertainment. I’ll be the first to tell you that screen time is abundant in my home but I’ve gotten in the habit of telling the kids to grab a book as we walk out the door and at the first sight of boredom, I have them at least read a few pages. A little reading is better than no reading at all.
Encourage repetition
There is nothing wrong with a child wanting to read the same book over and over. The repetition encourages speed and accuracy while building their sight word recognition. Once they’ve worn out their favorite books, look for similar characters in other stories to connect the dots between the book they love and their new read.
Celebrate each finished book
Make a big deal when your child finishes each book, just as you did the first time they read a word. Let them know how proud you are and remind them of how cool it is to be able to get lost in the world of books. Talk to your child about how fortunate we are to be able to read, receive public education, and have access to more books than we could imagine. To be able to read is a privilege that is often overlooked and treated as a chore. Change the narrative for your child by instilling a respect and appreciation for reading as early as possible.
It is never too early to foster a love of reading in your little ones. You know how your child is motivated and how they like to be rewarded so maybe these ideas need to be tweaked to meet your child’s needs. Use them as a starting point and remember, a few pages is better than nothing when it comes to keeping your child engaged in a book. Little habits, day after day, add up.
Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet.
Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5
