Get Kids Hooked on Books

If you really want to get your child hooked on reading, make it a fun activity.

"Books are naturally attractive and interesting as long as young people are read to regularly and have access to a wide range of books and other reading materials," says Victoria Kindle Hodson, author of Discover Your Child’s Learning Style.

"By putting the emphasis on early performance rather than enjoyment, parents and teachers dampen enthusiasm and turn what would otherwise be a pleasure into a dull boring obligation," Hodson adds.

Try the following tips to help your child develop a lifelong reading habit. You may even get hooked yourself.

Babies (birth to 1 year)

• Carry on "conversations." Make eye contact.

• Let the baby play with books of soft material or vinyl.

• Snuggle with your child as you read. Even if he doesn’t understand the story, he’ll love to hear your voice and the rhythm of the language as you cuddle. And, he’ll continue to love it as he grows into a reader.

Toddlers (1 to 3 years)

• Let your child become a "reader" by naming objects in a book or making up a story to go along with the pictures.

• Lead your child in a "guided story," having him fill in blanks as you tell it.

• While shopping, point out the word on your list that corresponds with each item as you place it in the cart. Let your child cross off the words.

Preschool (3 to 5 years)

• Read alphabet books with your child. Let her point to the letters as she "sings" them.

• Point out the letters in everyday items. ("S-T-O-P" at each stop sign.)

• Start a tradition of presenting your child with a book for each holiday and birthday.

Early elementary (5 to 7 years)

• Take your child to the library. Let him sign up for his own card and choose a book from the age-appropriate section.

• Subscribe to a children’s magazine. Getting mail is a thrill. Reading it will be as well.

• Encourage your child to read to younger siblings, the family pet or a stuffed animal. That way he’ll receive practice in front of a nonjudgmental audience.

Later elementary (7 to 10 years)

• Pen pals encourage writing as well as friendship. Sign your child up.

• Provide a variety of reading materials. Yes, comic books count.

• Remember some children will find reading more challenging than others. Use short chapter books or books of short stories to pique interest.

Middle school (10 to 13 years)

• Play word games such as Scrabble or MadLibs.

• Turn off the radio and have your child read the news to you while you’re driving. Or check out a few books on tape from the library for long car trips.

• Read high interest books aloud to them. Try The Hobbit, a Harry Potter book or anything else they’re interested in, but may not be ready to tackle alone.

Teenagers (13 and older)

• If your teen raves about a movie, have her read the book.

• Always be willing to drive to the bookstore. Start every shopping trip there.

• Read the same book your teen is reading, and discuss it with her.

Mary Dixon Lebeau is a frequent contributor to American Profile.

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