Does your child absolutely despise reading? If so, get them excited with these helpful tips that encourage a love of reading plus links to the best reading websites for kids.
Send Them To Bed Early
When we first introduced reading Reese hated it and would fight me every time. She even hated being read to and refused to sit still. I knew I had to get creative if I had any hopes of her every enjoying reading. After giving it some thought I discovered something she hated even more than reading…bedtime and used that to my advantage
You might be wondering how an earlier bedtime encourages more reading. Well, here’s the trick. Set their bedtime for 45 minutes to an hour before they need their lights out.
Here’s how bedtime in our house works. After dinner, Reese gets about an hour of tv or screen time. as it gets closer to bedtime we start to wind down and start our nighttime hygiene routine. Showering, brushing teeth, and getting our last drink of water. This is all done before her official bedtime. Then, I give her an option. I let her know it’s time for bed, now and ask if she would like lights out or is she would like to stay up and read for a bit?
Unless she’s really tired, she’ll always choose reading over bedtime. Giving her options and making it feel like her choice meant I no longer had to beg her to read. Once your child starts reading, that your cue to back off. Allow your children to choose whichever book they want even if its a book they have read a million times. Don’t try to instruct them on what to read, this is their time.
Summer Reading Incentives.
Looking for ways to keep your child reading over summer vacation? Sign up for as many reading incentive programs as you can find. If your local library does not have a summer reading program, then create one at home, with rewards for reading books.
Allow your child to select their rewards, this will make sure your rewards are something desirable. If your child values time with you more than toys, then set a date together doing where you spend a few hours doing what they love. If they value screen time, let him earn it or, let them earn a chance to get out of their regular chores for the day. Just have fun with it and your kids will, too.
Read the Book Before You Can See The Movie.
This is how we do most books in your home. If the book came out before the movie our rule is we read the book before we watch the movie. If your child is looking forward to seeing the next Chronicles of Narnia movie, the next Harry Potter movie, or the next Lemony Snicket movie, they’ll have to read the book first. This is how we got through the entire Harry Potter series, this was one book she couldn’t put down.
Let Them Read What Sparks Their Attention
My daughter loves history and will read a historical non-fiction book over fiction any chance she gets. She loves Anna Frank and anything related to WWII so this is always my go-to when I’m looking for books. Maybe your child will do better with a graphic novel or a choose your own adventure book. Either way, as long as they are reading, leave them alone.
Best Reading Website For Kids
With the number of kids using Ipads and phones many kids are turning to electronics for reading. Some kids need to feel a book in their hands and turn pages but for some kids online reading is perfect. One perk of online reading is no need to store books, no lost books and your kids will have access to all their books at their fingertips even on road trips. If you’re looking for online reading resources for your kids, check out a few of our favorites.
Developed by The Screen Actors Guild Foundation, Storyline Online features accomplished actors and actresses reading some of their favorite children’s books.
Barnes & Noble Online Story Time
From The Kissing Hand read by author Audrey Wood to Pinkalicious read by Victoria Kann, Barnes and Noble’s Online Storytime has popular children’s books read out loud.
Children can listen to short stories read aloud to them as they follow along with the highlighted text. ABCya! has a variety of educational games in addition to the featured stories. Free resources and materials are available for grades K through 5.
Similar to Storyline Online, Read to Me features popular children’s books being read by famous performers. There are activity guides with hands-on ideas, discussion questions, and lesson plans that can easily be adapted to the Common Core State Standards. Entirely free, the site is colorful and engaging.