5 Ways to Raise a Reader

Here are five ways to motivate your children to read and to become lifelong readers.

1. Get into the habit of reading to your kids as early as possible. Whether you choose to start before the baby is even born or at a few months old, the earlier you make reading a part of your child’s daily schedule the better.

2. Be a reading role-model: If your kids see you reading as a hobby, whether it’s books, magazines, newspapers, or e-books, they’ll want to follow your lead.

3. Visit bookstores and libraries with your kids often and encourage them to find books on subjects they’re interested in. Get them their own library card, and while you’re there make sure to pick up a book for yourself!

4. Make the stories they’re reading come alive by planning events and activities that go along with the theme of the book. Making crafts, dressing up in costumes, and visiting locations that are similar to those in the book will make it more exciting for both you and your kids.

5. If the only time kids read is when they are assigned books as homework, is it any wonder they don’t enjoy it? Encourage your kids to read just for pleasure. If they can experience reading as a fun activity they will be far more likely to carry it into adulthood.

Welcome to my world of books! (By ChickyMara)

Welcome to my world of books.  And thanks for coming.  I was thrilled when STELLAA asked me to join their group of bloggers and to share my love of reading, books, and the power of words. It’s hard to capture the passion and love that I feel for books. 

Aside: You’ll notice that I don’t use the word literature, because sometimes what you’re reading isn’t actually ‘literature’ in the true definition of the word. (Everyone has their secret pleasures).

A book can be many things: an escape, a way to make something better,  a world other than your own.  Sometimes a book can do much more than just entertain-it can educate, it can train, it can transform. 

I am a huge believer in literacy, and the power of the written word. Reading can take many forms:  books, magazines, comics, even signs and pamphlets.  It doesn’t matter where or what you read.  What matters is that you have the opportunity to stretch your mind and take it to other places, to gain the information you need, or even to find your way. 

STELLAA is working to make that happen. By making books available to those who would not have access to them, they are providing them the opportunity to move beyond, to gain the knowledge, to grow.  All people- children and adults, rich or poor, should have the opportunity to develop a love of the written word.

I’m not an activist.  I will write about what matters to me about literacy and how it fits into the greater scheme of life.  My feelings towards the importance of reading are organic.  They come out of what I’ve seen words and knowledge accomplish; how they have enriched my life and the lives of my children.

I hope you enjoy taking this journey with me as we explore the power of the book together.  I look forward to creating and debating.  You don’t always have to agree with me, and I welcome constructive comments and suggestions.  Let’s do this!

If you’d like to chat, follow me on Twitter. I’m @chickymara.