Okay, so adults who are enthusiastic about reading materials will have a much easier time motivating children to read. Is it possible to be too enthusiastic, though?
Yes, as per When Children Think They Don't Like to Read, Part 2, we don't want to push or pull. We want our children to find the balance on their own. So, instead of acting like a hovering helicopter, I like to think of parent's role as more of a bridge.
Let's imagine that there are two islands. One is the island of children who think they don't like to read, and the other is full of children who read for enjoyment on a regular basis. A parent can't just transport her child to the island of readers and expect everything to just work out, can she?
Suddenly being surrounded by avid readers and a lot of books might work for some children, but for others it would feel like they were dropped into enemy territory. The helicopter ride would not only cause a lot of anxiety, but when it lands, the plan might just backfire completely. After all, who wants to be forced into an unfamiliar situation?
So, helping children to develop a love of reading is more like the slow process of building a bridge. It starts when children are young (although it's never too late to start), and then once the bridge is built (one book at a time), children can choose to cross it on their own.
It certainly does not mean that a parent's job is done once a child learns to read independently. At that point, the foundation may be complete, but much of the bridge still needs to be constructed. Through the whole process, it's a gentle enthusiasm which guides the process along. Here are just a few ways to express that enthusiasm:
- Make reading aloud fun, interactive, and part of your daily routine. Bring the story to life with words and gestures. There's not one specific way to do this. Find your way!
- Take an interest in your child's reading materials, even after he's in high school. Casually ask what he likes the most about a certain book, whether it's the characters, the plot, or the voice of the author. Read some of the same books.
- Make regular visits to the local library or bookstore. Encourage your child to seek out books relating to the subjects, genres, and authors she likes. If she comes out only with magazines once in a while, that's okay. Accept that there will be peaks and valleys in the amount of time a child spends reading (bridge crossing is normal).
- Have reading materials in almost every room of the house, especially in your child's bedroom. Children who have access to books are much more likely to read them.
- Make sure your child sees you reading independently on a regular basis. Showing can be a lot more powerful than telling, especially with teenagers!
If a parent does even just a couple of these things, the bridge will eventually be complete. Children will begin to trust that the bridge will support them, and they'll probably cross over it many times during their lifetimes. Sometimes, they might even ask others to join them.
My own children are constantly crossing that bridge, depending on how much they like the book they happen to be reading, and how much time they have. Sometimes, I am tempted to get on that helicopter. But then, I remember the bridge.
Here are some related posts you may have missed:
And you can find part 4 here.
