There are children that seem to come from the womb searching for a book to read. For these children, no real prodding is needed for them to regularly work on their reading skills.
There are also kids that do not share this natural love for the written word. This does not mean, however, that children beginning life without a real interest in reading cannot develop their reading skills at the same pace as other children their age. It is also quite possible that these children can later become book lovers themselves.
Rocketship Education is a public charter school system that provides a quality education to elementary-aged children living in underserved communities throughout the country. Rocketship has provided the following six tips to encourage children to read.
Take Time Out For Reading
It is understandable that busy schedules can sometimes make it a challenge to carve out time for reading. However, reading time is essential and the needed time must be set aside for this activity. It helps if the child begins to see reading as a break from daily work or monotony and not an added chore to be endured.
Parent-Child Read Aloud Activities
Children are more likely to develop a love for reading when it becomes an activity that can be shared with parents. Parents should take turns reading aloud with children as they enjoy books together. These books should be both interesting and appropriate for the age group. This can continue to be a family activity as children start to age. This is because teenagers also enjoy having their parents read to them.
Create A Reading Space
For many children, the only thing needed to encourage more reading time is a special reading space. Be sure space is quiet and cozy while having just enough lighting to enjoy a good book.
Match Books To Ability
There will be times that a child is interested in a book that he or she is not quite ready to enjoy. Reading selections should be just complex enough to present a challenge for children. Written works for children that prove to be too much of a challenge should be avoided.
Be Mindful Of Variety
A great deal of the time children will be initially interested in fiction selections. There is nothing wrong with this but other genres should not be disregarded for long. Biographies, graphic novels, and joke books are just a few genres that can be enjoyed while reading skills are honed.
Sibling Interaction
A great way to encourage a child that may be a reluctant reader is to have them read picture books or other simple reads to younger siblings. This will also have the dual effect of developing an early reading interest in the younger child.
About Rocketship
Rocketship Education is a public charter school system providing primary education services to students attending kindergarten through the fifth grade. Most Rocketship students are from low-income neighborhoods that have been traditionally denied access to quality education.
Rocketship combines traditional education with adaptive technology and tutoring to assure that all needs of its students are adequately met. The Rocketship philosophy is that transformative education is capable of educating students while engaging parents, empowering teachers, and uplifting entire communities.
Rocketship Education began operating as a public charter school in 2006. The Rocketship mission is to close the achievement gap that exists for underserved communities in this lifetime.
