5 Creative Ways To Encourage Children To Read
Good Books
A good book - don't leave home without one.
When is the last time you saw your child pick up a good book? For some parents this would be a rare sight, but all is not lost. There are some creative avenues that parents can explore to get their child to read. So let’s take a look at those avenues.
1. Encourage your child to be a Book Reviewer in which there are great benefits. There are lots of children’s book authors who would love to have children review their books; there are loads of parenting websites, children’s websites, and book review websites that feature children’s book reviews. Let your child know that their opinion of the books they read will be posted on the Internet for the whole world to see. They can share with their friends the websites that have their book reviews. Who knew? All that from becoming a child book reviewer. Oopps! One more thing, if your child had a resume, you can put “Additional Online Information,” and the link(s) to where your child’s book reviews can be found. So what do you think? Here are some resources to help your child become a book reviewer - www.teenreads.com, www.kidsreads.com, www.spaghettibookclub.org, and www.radicalparenting.com.
2. Let’s look at another “how can I get my child to read” avenue. Another benefit of your child becoming a book reviewer is the collection of plenty of FREE books; some children book authors don’t require that their books be returned, so your child can build a FREE library at home. Your child can create his or her own FREE book program for themselves. Let’s keep going. What happens when your child accumulates “too many” books? They can become a charitable giver by donating books to children’s hospitals, children’s shelters, children’s foundations, or any children’s events that would love to have those books. There’s more. As your child contributes books, as the parent, you can request from the receiving organization, a letter on its letterhead, thanking your child for contributing books to their organization – this is excellent reference for your child.
3. Most children enjoy helping those who can’t help themselves, so with that said, what about reading for the sight challenged or for young children who can’t read for themselves as yet? This is also a great way for your child to get a great volunteer opportunity under his or her belt.
4. Another “how can I get my child to read” avenue is one that your child will really love – Companion Gifts. Companion Gifts enhance the joy of reading. What’s a Companion Gift? I’m glad you asked. Would your child like to receive a gift that compliments the book that he or she reads? Companion Gifts include, but is not limited to, movies, dolls, jerseys (football, basketball, soccer etc.), certificates of completion, especially for a series of books, back packs, or the book on CD. A companion gift can also be a visit to a child's favorite place. It could be a gift certificate for a one-time visit to an aquarium, zoo, play, sports game, or museum.
5. Does your child have a favorite thing to do or want to do? Find a book on it. Before you invest in one of your child’s “please Mommy, please” activities have him or her to read up on it first. Sit down with your child and ask questions on what the book says about their activity of interest. Ask your child to point out key areas in the book that may give an inkling on cost, time required or desired for the activity, protective equipment needed, if necessary, cost for any instruments, if applicable, and activity benefits. Have your child investigate any organizations in their geographical area that are associated with their activity of interest along with and organization’s fees.
One more good tip on getting a child to read is that when a child interacts with other children or adults, some children or adults who are avid readers just might ask a child, "What books have you read?" It would be a great idea for a child to have a great answer to that question.
