Falling in Love With Reading

We are inching closer to March, which is National Reading Month, a time dedicated to promoting the joys and benefits of reading across all ages. Now is the perfect time to start planning ways to engage your child in reading during this celebratory month. Don’t have a kiddo that likes to read? Perhaps this is a great time to open the window to a whole new world. 

Here are some ideas to get kids reading and keep them engaged.

1. Create a special space just for reading.

Make it cozy and allow your kid to select favorite things, like a blanket, to keep in the space. A quiet area is ideal. This could be a chair or loveseat. It could even be a pop-up tent, which is one of the places my daughter would flip through pages of books even before she could read. When the weather is nice, outdoor options are also wonderful. Older kids can benefit from space away from distractions (like games and social media) while reading, so a space where devices are removed might be a good option.

2. Follow up books with movie or show adaptations, if available.

I’ve found that a good number of books my daughter has read have been adapted into movies or short series. Once she reads a book, we enjoy watching the screen version and comparing it to the book. We talk about parts that were excluded or added in the version we are watching, which leads to some pretty interesting discussions!

3. Allow kids to select a book from the library or local bookstore.

Online shopping can be convenient, but going in-person to choose a book is empowering. This allows children to see the variety of genres and topics and find something that speaks to them. It also allows the parent or caregiver to ask advice of employees regarding selections. There are some great  independent bookstores in and around Tulsa such as Magic City Books and Fulton Street Books & Coffee. If your local independent bookstore doesn’t have what you are looking for, they might be able to order it, so ask!

4. Set aside a special time for reading.

Make it a normal part of the schedule and make it fun. My daughter is allowed to stay up 30-45 minutes after she has gotten ready for bed to read independently. This has become her special reading time and one she looks forward to. I’ve encouraged her to circle any words she is uncertain of with a pencil and ask me about them in the morning. I want to make sure she understands what she is reading.

Isabelle has quite an array of books — from chapter books she reads now, to books from when she was younger that she still cherishes and reads from time to time.

5. Check out book-themed events and reading challenges.

Look online and talk to others. You are likely to find various events going on throughout the year. The Tulsa City-County Library is a great resource. Local stores also host reading events. You can find virtual events not specific to our area as well if your child is interested in a certain genre or author.

6. Give older kids the opportunity to listen to audiobooks.

While I think reading words is important, absorbing a story through listening is great as well. Older kids likely have more opportunities (and the concentration) to do this while on road trips, exercising, or unwinding from a busy day. While I don’t think audiobooks should be a total replacement, I do believe there can be a happy medium in mixing both. I personally enjoy audiobooks when I’m in the car. 

7. Read together.

Reading with your child or as a family can be an always thing —  for any age! I know families who read parts of a book aloud so everyone is (literally) on the same page. It can also help children, whether young or teens, who struggle with reading. Positive reading reinforcement in a comfortable family setting can work wonders but takes commitment.

Why read when there are so many other activities tugging at your child’s (and your) schedule? Here are just a few reasons why kids (and adults) should keep a book in hand.

• Reading  improves concentration, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. 
• Reading enhances empathy, allowing readers to experience the world from diverse perspectives. 
• Reading unleashes creativity and the power of imagination!

Books have the power to entertain, educate, and inspire. It is never too early to start reading to your child because they are absorbing all of it. It is also never too late to develop a love for reading. 

In an upcoming post, I’ll share book series that have captured my kids’ imaginations. Happy reading!