Comments on: 9 Tips to Get Kids and Teens to READ! (and even like it!)

By: Michelle Skamene

Michelle Skamene — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:03:42 +0000

Thank you so much for your tips. I completely agree that the right book choices are absolutely key. I have found that my kids’ friends are actually a great resource for new book ideas. If my child’s friend likes a certain book, chances are he/she will like it too!
In an effort to get my 2 boys to read more, I set up an online reading incentive program whereby I reward them for their reading time. They log in, track information about their reading (what, how long), and by doing so, earn various types of rewards I set up for them. Their friends joined as well, and it has turned into a fun, online community where kids share and exchange information about the books they read. It has really worked, and now, my boys are reading just for the pleasure of it, and not because of my rewards. I’m really excited! Feedback I’ve received from parents is fantastic, too, so I am opening up to others.
If you are interested, please visit http://www.reading-rewards.com and sign your kids up! It is easy (and free!). I would love to hear your thoughts.

By: Lynette Mattke

Lynette Mattke — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:06:21 +0000

A great list of tips. I particularly like #5 about making reading material easily available – in the car, on trips, in the bathroom. My mom taught me never to leave the house without a book because you never know when you might take advantage of a wait to slip in some reading. I like surprising my kids by loading up a new stack of library books in the car before a trip.

By: Bill Dwight

Bill Dwight — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:09:11 +0000

A little tip that has worked well for us: get your child one of those little clip-on-the-book reading lights and let them read for 15-30min “after bedtime”. Makes them feel like they’re getting away with staying up later and a fun, quiet way to read.

By: Lara Ivey

Lara Ivey — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 23:04:50 +0000

Michele,
You are so right with your tips! From finding time and choice, to the right level and reading aloud…it’s really NOT rocket science, but we make it that. If we can make reading like breathing for children, it could make all the difference in our children’s attitude toward reading. Then, if our attitude is positive, we will most likely see a change in other areas of education. We’ve talked about some of these same things at our blog we just started. Thanks for sharing these ideas!!!!