by Nick Ruth, author of The Remin Chronicles

BLAST OFF to Reading

Bedtime (make time to read)
Librarian (help find books that interest your kids)
Audio (don’t ignore audio books)
Self (become a reader yourself)
Together (read as a family)

Open-minded (be open-minded about what they read)
Force (don’t force it)
Fun (if it’s fun they will gravitate toward it)

Here are the details:

Bedtime. Make time to read. Set aside a reading time at bedtime, after which video games and televisions must be off, but reading is allowed.

Librarian. Be a librarian and help your children find books that interest them. According to a recent survey by Scholastic, the number one reason that kids cite for not reading more is the difficulty of finding good books. Parents can help by recommending books they enjoyed, pointing out book reviews of books they think the child will enjoy, and taking the family to the library frequently (and not just when a report is due!) Keep lots of books and other reading material around your house: in the bathroom, living room, dining room, bedroom, or anywhere else that your family congregates.

Audio Don’t ignore audio books. Some people are auditory learners; they process information better when they hear it. Listening to audio books has many of the same benefits as reading. Audio books are no substitute for reading but they can create interest in reading and storytelling.

Self. Be a reader yourself. How can you expect your kids to believe that reading is important if you never read unless you have to? Let your children see you reading books, magazines, newspapers, or whatever interests you. Instead of feeling guilty about taking time for yourself, you can be happy that you are doing something good for your children.

Together. The family that reads together... Most people know how important it is to read often to young children. But don’t stop reading together as they get older. Even teens can participate in a family reading time, where everyone takes turns reading. As your children enter the teen years, share newspaper articles and encourage them to read at least some of the daily news.

Open-minded. Be open-minded about what they read. Encourage children and teens to read whatever they are interested in, whether it be motorcycle manuals or video game guides or comic books. If they’re reading, they’re practicing the most important skill that a person can have in our society. So don’t belittle any reading choice as trivial or unimportant.

Force. Don’t force it. Encourage your children to read, but don’t pressure them to read, other than schoolwork. You want reading to be fun, not something that they hate because they are forced to do it.

Fun. Reading is Fun. Mary Poppins said it best “Find the fun and snap, the job is a game” Reading opens doors to imagination and new experiences. When reading is fun you don’t have to motivate your kids, they will motivate themselves, drag you to the library, and beg for the latest new books.

Links to learn more:

Links to learn more:

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