Comments on: How to Raise a Reader

By: Robin

Robin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:45:30 +0000

Great tips! I would add one more: read aloud to your kids. We start our school day with me reading to my kids. Because of this they've learned to get involved and fall in love with a story. I love it when they say, "Keep reading, I have to know what happens!".
Robin´s last blog ..Second Saturday

By: Joy

Joy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:11:09 +0000

@Susan, I've noticed the same thing. My oldest daughter will read just about anything now, but her first real love was the American Girl series which she read through the last half of her first grade year. My youngest, Joely (7yo) on the other hand, didn't really have one particular book that turned her into a reader. For her I know that peer pressure, and the desire to be like big sis and Mom and Dad really prompted her to love reading, and it wasn't particularly one book. For her it was more of the idea of reading itself.

By: Joy

Joy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:07:10 +0000

@Jimmie, That's where we were with Jaden, thinking that he just wasn't going to a reader. And really, we were okay with that, but still hoping he might some day experience the pleasure of reading for fun.

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:33:38 +0000

Several of my children have loved and devoured the Redwall Series. It's been interesting to see which books will turn each child "on". All of my older kids loved to read but each had a different book that turned them from "I read" to "I am a Reader."
Susan´s last blog ..Found Object Lessons

By: Rana

Rana — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:32:01 +0000

Thank you for the suggestions. My kids are beginning readers and my son has not progressed as much as his sister and I think that frustrates him. I like the idea of them having a reading hour or a number of pages to read everyday on their own. I usually read to them everyday,and they see me reading for my own pleasure all the time. These tips were very helpful.
Rana´s last blog ..Two of a Kind!

By: Teresa McNamara

Teresa McNamara — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:02:24 +0000

Speaking as a teacher I'd like to say they are wonderful recommendations. As a Mum, I'd like to say thank-you for reminding me of the Redwall series because I think my eldest boy might be interested in them too! Well done on your persistence in getting Jaden reading.
Teresa McNamara´s last blog ..Prep Whispering

By: Jimmie

Jimmie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:29:11 +0000

It kicks in at different times for different children. I was an avid reader as a child. But my daughter is not like me. Although Sprite sometimes reads in bed (when there are no other options), she never picks up a book otherwise.

But like you, I keep investing in books, cherishing books, showing an example, and requiring reading. I know that when she's ready, it will click.

And not all homeschooled children are avid readers. That's okay. I think we should be okay with admitting that and accepting those children.
Jimmie´s last blog ..One Yuan, Please

By: Joy

Joy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:39:57 +0000

@Science Geek (aka Kristin), Last year we actually did consider whether Jaden had dyslexia or some other kind of disability (for lack of a better term) that made it difficult for him to read. We didn't have him officially tested, but we did a lot of reading on the subject and came to the conclusion that it was probably not an issue with him. But it's definitely a great point! If a child isn't 'getting it', check to see if there's an underlying cause.

By: Sherry

Sherry — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:30:09 +0000

Great post! I have one avid reader, and I have been trying to get my son to be more interested in reading as well. I'll have to try some of the tips.
Sherry´s last blog ..Serving up Thanksgiving Dinner for 12 or 25!

By: Science Geek (aka Kristin)

Science Geek (aka Kristin) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:28:25 +0000

I think your recommendations are wonderful, and I agree whole heartedly. BUT, if one is doing all these things to encourage reading in her home and still has a child reluctant to read, I encourage her to at least consider a reading disability. My son struggled for years learning to read, despite being highly intelligent and coming from a home where reading was exemplified and treasured, and where he was read to since early toddlerhood. I tried everything I could think of to make reading click for him. I tried to convince myself that it was just a learning lag and that by surrounding him with books, he'd catch on. Only about 1 1/2 years ago did I finally discover that my son has dyslexia and needed to be taught how to read in a way that is different from most. Now that he is receiving the most effective reading instruction for his brain type (because people with dyslexia have different brain structures than the rest of us), he is finally reading for pleasure.

I encourage any of your readers who suspect reading problems in their children to visit http://www.dys-add.com for more information on the symptoms and solutions for dyslexia. Likewise, you can visit my blog to see what teaching my son to read has looked like.