My wish is for all children to experience the passion, adventure, awareness, and education that stems from reading for fun. I also wish for you – their parent, teacher, grandparent, babysitter, or loved one – to assist them in that quest. In schools, I often see that reading has become so clinical and sterile that children aren’t aware of the joy that reading can bring. I’d like to share with you some ways and resources to help change that, for toddlers to teenagers.
First, get an idea of how well your child(ren) can read. Ask them to read a paragraph or two out loud to you. If they panic, guess words, or look at the pictures to try to figure out the text, they may need some instruction on how to read accurately before you get started. Asking or requiring someone to read when they are not good at it is certainly NOT fun for them.
Once you know they are capable and accurate readers, the first order of business is to find books on topics that they are interested in. At our reading center, we choose reading materials based on student interest rather than levels. Of course, if the text and vocabulary is significantly above their ability or understanding, finding another text (article or magazine, for example) on their topic of choice is more appropriate for them. As with adults, if children are interested in the subject matter of a book they are more motivated to read it!