Ten Tips for Growing Bookworms

MotherReader asked for posts containing tips for her post-Thanksgiving Carnival of Children's Literature. I decided that the thing I would most like to write about (this will not surprise anyone who has been paying attention), is tips for growing bookworms. Here are ten tips that I have gathered from a variety of sources over the past few years. I don't have references for each item, because most are mentioned in many places, but I have included a short bibliography of books about raising readers at the end. I don't promise that this list is comprehensive, but these are certainly good places to start. I recommend your suggestions.

1. Read aloud to your children from (or even before) birth, and keep reading aloud to them even after they can read on their own. This has been shown to have a huge impact in raising readers, and is the number one thing that parents and other concerned adults should do to help grow bookworms. By reading to kids in a comforting environment, you help them to think of reading as a pleasurable activity. You also increase their vocabularies and attention spans, and show them that books are important. And with all of the many wonderful books out there, this should be enjoyable for you and the kids.
2. Read the books that your children read, even after you are no longer reading aloud with them (or along with books you're reading together). Talk to them about these books. Let them recommend books to you. By reading the books your children read, you show them that you value them, and the books, and you open up untold avenues for important discussions. I personally think that if more parents and other adults did this, there would be less of a drop-off in reading for pleasure as kids get older (though I have no formal data to back this up). I wrote about this in more detail here.
3. Choose books that your children enjoy. Find books that satisfy their interests, and let them choose books that please them. This is especially important for women selecting books for boys, who may prefer reading in formats other than traditional fiction. Yes, it can be frustrating to have your child read nothing but comic books. But reading comic books IS reading. I'm not saying don't try to suggest other books for them, too. But keep in mind that the central goal is for kids to find reading a pleasurable activity, one that they wish to continue. Everything else follows from that (all the way to better test scores and dream colleges).
4. Make sure that your children (and nieces and nephews and grandchildren) have books of their own. You don't have to buy every book, of course, but it's important for kids to have at least a few books that are theirs that they can read and re-read and fall in love with.
5. Visit libraries and bookstores. Libraries allow you to choose a variety of books, and to try books out before you buy the ones that your child really loves. Libraries have events and read-alouds. Librarians are great at recommending books based on a child's interest. Don't let this free resource go untapped. Bookstores show kids an environment and a culture filled with other people who also love books, and also often have fun events.
6. Read yourself, and model an appreciation for books. This especially important for male role models, because boys often think of reading as an activity that's primarily for women. It's all very well to SAY that books are important. But what kids notice is what you DO. If you turn on the TV during every free moment, your kids are less likely to turn to books themselves. In general, have lots of printed material in your home, especially books, because this also shows that you think that books are valued.
7. For younger children, point out when you're learning useful information by reading (including non-traditional reading, like when you read maps). The idea is to gradually (and in non-didactic fashion) show young children the many doors that reading opens.
8. Limit television watching, especially for children under three. For children under two, television watching can actually impair their brain development. For older children, time spent watching TV is time NOT spent reading books. When they watch stories on TV, everything is spelled out for them. When they read stories in books, they use their imaginations more. Books are also generally better in terms of expanding vocabularies and dealing with thoughtful and complex issues. There are some educational shows that focus on vocabulary and making reading fun, and these have do have value. Needless to say, steering your children towards these shows instead of violent cartoons is something that will help.
9. Create cozy reading places within your house, and keep books handy in different rooms (including the kitchen and the bathroom). The idea here is to a) make it convenient to read, so that kids will choose books as an option, and b) continue to make reading a pleasurable activity, one that kids will want to repeat often.
10. At least once in a while, let them stay up late reading under the covers. Pretending you don't know is probably ok in this case, though I'm not generally a big advocate of deception. As kids get older, one of the tricky things is that reading isn't perceived as "cool." If your child wants to read enough to sneak a flashlight into bed - you should consider yourself very lucky. (See Tricia's post about this at The Miss Rumphius Effect).

There are no guarantees, but I think that if you're doing all of these things, you're quite likely to end up growing some healthy bookworms.

A Short Bibliography:

• The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease
• How to Get Your Child to Love Reading: For Ravenous and Reluctant Readers Alike by Esmé Raji Codell
• Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever by Mem Fox
• Raising a Reader: Make Your Child a Reader for Life by Paul Kropp
• The Gift of Reading by David Bouchard

© 2009 by Jennifer Robinson of Jen Robinson's Book Page. All rights reserved.

Comments

[Liz B]

Great list! I'd add, "don't pressure a child or yourself"; raising readers should not mean, "raising children who start reading at 3" or "raising children who read all of harry potter by age 7."

Kids grow, and read, at different rates, for many reasons. If there is added pressure to both child and parent to be "reading chapter books" at set ages, etc., that can backfire and turn reading from "fun" to something to be endured. It's not a contest or race!

I'd read somewhere, once, that most children even out, reading wise, by 3rd grade; at that point, an adult walking into a typcial classroom would not be able to sort out, who read at 3, who read at 7, etc. And I'd say that more often than not, I've seen that be true.

Sometimes, just like many other things, kids grow into reading at their own speed; and as caring adults, we can support that with all the stuff you have listed.

[Jen Robinson]

Thanks so much, Liz. That's a point that I completely missed (though I had it vaguely in mine when I said "choose books that your children enjoy"). I agree 100%. For parents, I'd go so far as to say "don't do anything that makes reading less enjoyable for your kids." They are supposed to be reading for pleasure. Thanks for the detailed thoughts!

[Liz in Ink]

Some of my happiest memories have to do with the flashlight under my pillow. Nancy Drew, in particular. These are great tips -- I really like them, AND Liz' no-pressure comment. I have two daughters -- one who struggled all the way through second grade, one who was whipping through chapter books by the end of kindergarten. They really move at their own pace and come to love what they love at their own pace, too...

[Jen Robinson]

Thanks for validating Liz's tip, Liz. That's clearly an important point.

I don't think I was ever a flashlight reader myself, because I think I was allowed to stay up reading. My parents were pretty understanding that way. But I'll be the flashlight under the covers thing is a lot of fun.

[Vivian]

I was a big flashlight reader as a kid since my parents thought I read too much. I was also big into sneaking my reading in while I was supposed to be doing my homework.

I'll also agree with Liz B.'s comment. My third grader is finally coming onto her own with the reading. First grader is chomping on books like they're going out of style.

Great list, Jen.

[Tricia]

Thanks, Jen. This is a great list of ideas. I too agree with Liz. Too much is made these days of "when' kids learn to read. (Have you seen the new Hooked on Phonics commercial where a few parents are stunned when a four-year old is reading? Learning to read is not a competition!)

I would add to make sure parents and kids read books in a variety of genres. Poetry and nonfiction sometimes get left by the wayside, and they sure can be a lot of fun. William and I have days at the library where we play the Dewey Decimal Game He picks a number between 100 and 999 and we sit in that section of Juvenile literature and read books that look interesting.

[Chreyl]

Great article and tips, Jen! I was also a flashlight reader. Or a leave-the-hall-light-on reader. Jam the book under the pillow really fast when the parents walk down the hall! (laughing)

And yeah--no pressure is important. Pressure takes away all the pleasure and fun.

[Jen Robinson]

Thanks for the validation of and personal experiences with flashlight reading and no pressure reading, Vivian and Cheryl.

And Tricia, you make an excellent point about other genres besides fiction. I had that in mind when I talked about picking books that kids will enjoy (I know that lots of boys like nonfiction, for instance), but I didn't spell it out, and I wasn't thinking of poetry. Thanks so much!!

[Charlotte]

I have tip 6 down pat--"Run away and play, darling, Mama is busy Modeling Appreciation right now..."

I think your gender tip in #3 is right on!

[Jen Robinson]

It's a tough job, Charlotte (modeling appreciation), but I think it's an important thing to do for the sake of your kids (grin).

The tip about selecting books for boys is important, but it's hard, too. I am personally all about story. I had an indirect request from someone who reads my newsletter for more recommendations on sports books, but it's so tough to focus on those when I have fiction that I'm dying to read sitting on my shelves. Ah well, knowing that you have a problem is the first step.