in other words
may16
2013
9
Better Parenting: Help Your Kids Become Lifelong Readers
By Sonia Spackman
I read my first book “all the way
through” AFTER high school! Because
of this, I had a long hard road prepar-
ing for college. I am now a believer that
reading strengthens and contributes to
success not only in school now but also
later on the job.
Reading helps prepare kids and
us late bloomers for successes no mat-
ter if it is in hobbies or college, not to
mention being better on the job and/or
advancing in a chosen career.
So how do we motivate out kids
to read for their own good and for their
pleasure? Check out these ideas from the
NEA (National Education Association)
Magazine.
Start with their own book choices,
Kids are more likely to spend
time in a book and enjoying it when they
have had the chance to check out the in-
teresting books that are easy to read and
on their reading level.
Take your kids on a date to the
Vernonia Library and entice them to
check out good quality books they may
be interested in from dinosaurs to super-
heroes.
Build on their book interests,
Be it music, animals, sports or
hobby interests, interact with your kids
in a meaningful way with activities to
get your kids thinking, talking, creat-
ing and exploring their book interests. A
good website aimed at children, includ-
ing summer reading challenges and oth-
er events is startwithabook.org. You
could ask staff at the library for help or
activities they are planning.
Make their own books special at home,
Display books that will make
your child’s books special. If your child
likes fish or the ocean get posters or have
them draw pictures to put around the
shelf or table where your child’s books
are displayed. If you are a low-income
family “First Book” has several pro-
grams that can help to get books at little
or no cost, ask library staff or go online
to firstbook.org.
Develop a time for reading,
Provide a daily opportunity for
a quiet time to read at their own pace.
They will get excited about reading,
gain confidence in their ability, and be
encouraged to read more. Parents can
motivate their kids to read and explore
a variety of topics and fun activities. If
you are interested in how families can
help kids make summertime reading a
priority go to rif.org
Organize a “play date” for same age
kids,
Make time to read with their
friends, and talk about their books to-
gether and share their knowledge, so
they get a boost and turn reading into a
fun activity. There is an award-winning
family program for children from birth
to age 8 that helps families develop
book-sharing routines that you or others
may want to start in Vernonia. You can
find more information at their website,
raisingareader.org.
Seek out summer reading programs,
The Vernonia Library always
has a yearly summer reading program
that begins sometime in June. Look for
coming information in Vernonia’s Voice
or contact Jennifer Moloney at the li-
brary 503-429-1818.
Also, Barnes & Noble has a
summer reading program, “Imaginations
Destination” where your kids can earn a
free book, here’s how:
Step 1 Read any 8 books and re-
cord them on the B&N reading journal.
Step 2 Bring the completed jour-
nal to your local B& N store.
Step 3 Choose a free book from
their selection on the reading journal
list at the store. If you are interested and
want details and a store location go on
line to BN.com
Support your struggling reader, who
isn’t enthused about reading,
Try yourself, or ask an interest-
ed relative, neighbor, senior - or maybe
you can pair an older student as a read-
ing buddy who reads aloud and listens to
your child read thus opening the door for
a reading role model to encourage and
motivate your reader. Your child may ex-
perience feelings of failure and embar-
rassment. By building their interest and
excitement you can motive your child
to accept help to focus on new reading
skills. Rachael Walker is a curriculum
specialist with more than 20 years’ ex-
perience in children’s reading, for more
tips, go to belleofthebook.com.
In closing, book lovers of any
age will say there’s nothing better than
reading a good book for enjoyment. No
matter the weather - you can snuggle up
with a book on a cold day or lay in the
hammock in the warm sun and travel to
another time and world without spend-
ing a dime or moving an inch. Sounds
good for all the family doesn’t it?
Resource:
Ready…Set…Read! Help
Your Students Become Lifelong Readers,
by Rachael W. Walker, neatoday, Spring
2013, Washington, DC, neatoday@nea.
org, Barnes & Noble, BN.com.
Vernonia Library.
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