Often kids associate reading as a part of school’s assignment and think of it as a task rather than an enjoyable activity they can do just for pleasure. As a parent you can help your child to see and appreciate reading from a different perspective. First of all, don’t use it as a punishment. Sometimes, parents assign reading as a consequence for something the child had not done or hasn’t done it right. That doesn’t contribute to see reading as a pleasant activity; instead, it sends children the wrong message that if they don’t behave they will be ask to read. Second, find what interest your child. All children have different interests. Some are interested in sports, while others in animals, astronomy, insects, etc. The good news is that there are books for every topic: fiction and nonfiction books in every area that your child might be curious about. Third, use your child’s natural curiosity to foster his interest in reading. Instead of just providing an answer to a question, show him how to use books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and internet resources to find answers to his own questions.
Rather than spending lots of money in buying different kinds of books, take your child to the library and get him a library card. Make a habit to go to the library, every other week (if possible) and check out different kind of books for him to read on his own and/or with your help. Some libraries even offer the same version of the books in more than one language. I often encourage my Latino parents to check the books in both English and Spanish and take turn with their children reading both versions.
Remember that the objective of reading is to comprehend what is in the text. To promote reading comprehension ask and show your child how to use his imagination to visualize (make a picture in his mind) about what he is reading. As he reads, ask him to predict (tell what will happen next) later in the story. Then check if his predictions were right. Many stories offer parents the opportunity to tap into real life situations, thus ask your child about his own opinions: what could this character have done different, what would you do?
Set a time, as often as you can, to read to your child, to read with your child, and to listen to your child read to you. It’s also important that your child “sees” you reading: letters, newspaper, magazines, books, internet articles, etc. Use these opportunities to talk to your child why it’s important to read: be informed, learn about something, pleasure, and so forth.
Happy Reading!
