Reading is really having a moment lately! But that doesn’t mean all kids maintain their interest in reading, or have it to begin with. With March being Reading Month, we’ve rounded up some top tips from Audrey Barker, a Youth Branch Librarian at the Kent District Library Kentwood Branch, for getting kids excited about reading.
According to Barker, it’s very common for kids to express loss of interest at times.
“Some kids are ferocious readers—which we love! And some are picky—which we also love!” she said. “But I’ve yet to meet a person who doesn't love being told a good story. It's the other barriers to getting the right story in the right hands that makes readers of all ages feel like they don’t like reading.”
Before tackling tips for growing or reigniting interest in reading again, it’s crucial to understand what those barriers could be. Barker shared four common obstacles:
-
Picking out a book can feel overwhelming.
-
Finding the “right fit” for a book can be challenging.
-
They’ve fallen out of the habit.
-
Hardships in life can take attention away from reading.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to move forward from these challenges, including starting with being a role model and getting excited about reading yourself.
“Read in front of your kids!” Barker encouraged. “If you enjoy reading on your tablet, phone or listening to an audiobook, make sure your child knows you’re reading a story by talking about it. If you have a physical book in your lap, make sure they see you reading. Normalize reading in your own life sets the example.”
Barker also broke down some tips based on the age range of your reader.
EARLY READERS
“Let them pick out their own books! KDL has a checkout limit of 150 books per card. Take as many as you can carry! Read together often and do it a lot. If you start reading a book, but the child doesn't like it, let them know it’s OK to not want to read certain books. It's good to let them know they can choose which books they like and which they don’t.”
ELEMENTARY-AGE READERS
“Encourage kids to read what they enjoy. Readers of this age love to explore different modes of transportation for stories—listening to an audio book, watching a story, reading themselves, being read to, exploring a story by drawing their own pictures … there are so many ways! Each mode of transportation for a story helps expand their growing minds. Please know that graphic novels are books, too! Kids this age often love everything from picture books to chapter books; graphic novels are a marvelous in between.”
MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL-AGE READERS
“Ask what they’re reading and if they like the audio version better. Ask if they recommend what they’re reading. Is it part of a series? What's their favorite part? Ask, ask, ask. A lot of required reading at this age opens the door to heavy topics like war, identity, family crisis, etc. This stark contrast from elementary age readings can be a huge switch for some kids. Keeping the conversation open helps them digest the story. Plus, at this age, they’ll likely recommend some really great books! Bonus: If you happen to drop a picture book in your library book bag, laugh about, 'How did this get in my pile?’ then offer to read it to them like when they were little. Enjoy it together.”
Some additional general tips include connecting over books you liked as a child and sharing what you liked about them at your child’s age.
“Your favorite childhood books may also become one of your kid’s favorites,” Barker said. “Gush about why you each love it. Also, talk about books you don't like. Make your own mini-book club, in a way. Discussing the story helps kids comprehend it better and gives them a better vocabulary to describe what they like about the story. Plus, it's just fun.”
You might also find joy in picking out books for one another.
“Let your child check out a good book they think you’ll enjoy and you pick one for them,” Barker suggested. “Don't underestimate the joy of a picture, teen, or adult book picked out just for you by your child.”
And of course, remind your child that it’s OK to not like a book and they can move on from it, if they choose to. Barker notes a number of resources that could be useful for parents and adults looking to increase kids’ reading interest.
“Audiobooks are awesome for kids who want to hear a story! Vox/Wonderbooks will read the story over and over to your child,” Barker said. “E-audiobooks are awesome for kids who may not want others to know that they’re reading or what they’re reading (sure a seventh grader still loves ‘Magic Treehouse’ books, but may not want their friends to know they still love them!)”
KDL also has reading packets available that are dedicated to the five key areas of reading (comprehension, vocabulary, phonemic awareness (sometimes called “blends”), fluency, and phonics). Barker recommends asking a child’s teacher if they suggest working on a specific skill together.
“Another great resource for your reader is Scholastic Teachables—a website stocked full of printables that focus on each of these skills on a variety of topics,” Barker said. “With your KDL card, you have full access to that site. Plus, you get 50 pages of free printing each week, so let your child explore their favorite topics!”
And that’s far from all there is. Barker ultimately recommends going and speaking with your librarian about what’s available.
“Every person is at a different point in their reading journey and we have so many great resources to share for all levels of readers,” she said. “We genuinely want to help you access what you want and need.”
Reading Month, Barker reminds, is for adults, as well.
“Adults often ask for help finding a good book, falling back into reading, or about our resources. It's really OK to ask for help getting out of a reading slump,” she said. “Reading is about expanding your life experience. It presents ideas, events, feelings, places, and so much more that you may not otherwise experience in your life. If you or your child ever think you aren't a reader, it just means you don't have the right book in your hands. Come see us. We will hook you up.”
Keep an eye on your local (and non-local) library calendars for Reading Month events and spring break fun soon to follow.
Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for West Michigan Woman.
