by Lisa A. Beach
Since I was a child, engrossed in comic books and Nancy Drew mysteries, I have always had a passion for reading. Nicknamed “Booka” by my dad, who shared my love for literature, I was encouraged by my mom, who often read my favorite stories aloud to me.
As a parent myself now, I am determined to share my “first true love” of reading with my two teenage sons.
Unfortunately, research, such as a report from the National Endowment for the Arts, highlights a troubling decrease in recreational reading, especially among teenagers and young adults. The report also indicates a significant decline in both reading ability and the habit of regular reading among college graduates.
To combat this worrisome trend, it’s important to nurture a love of reading in your children without relying solely on schools, which can sometimes hinder their enthusiasm for reading. A recent article by clinical psychologist Erica Reischer in The Atlantic points to the negative repercussions of mandatory reading logs on student motivation.
“When motivation to do an activity comes from outside, via rewards or mandates, it tends to undermine people’s interest in doing that activity for its own sake,” Reischer writes. “This decline in motivation ultimately affects enjoyment, creativity, and even performance.”
Luckily, there are many strategies you can implement at home to encourage a love of reading. Here are some suggestions to inspire your family’s journey with books.
1) Be a reader role model. Show your kids that you read regularly, whether it’s the morning newspaper, a magazine while dinner is being prepared, or a beloved novel before bedtime. Carry books with you wherever you go—from a small paperback in your bag to magazines in the car and a Kindle loaded with interesting titles for family trips. Establishing a reading habit in your own life is key.
2) Fill your home with books. Place reading material in various spots around the house—on shelves, in baskets, and in every room, including the living room, family room, and even the bathroom.
3) Create a comfy reading nook. You might have a cozy window seat with ample natural light or a beanbag chair next to a basket of books. Even a single comfortable chair can work if you add soft pillows, a blanket, and good lighting to create a perfect reading retreat.
4) Get kids hooked on a series or a favorite author. Once they finish a book, they’re likely to be excited to dive into another.
5) Borrow, rent or buy audiobooks. Enjoying a well-narrated audiobook allows for an effortless escape into a story without the pressure of vocabulary or pronunciation. Many public libraries lend CDs and offer downloadable mp3s or streaming audiobooks. While you can purchase audiobooks from platforms like iTunes and subscribe to services like Audible, there are also free resources such as Open Culture, Thought Audio, Lit2Go, and Podiobooks.
6) Start a tween book club. If you are involved in a book club, your child will see the discussions and connections it fosters. “I wanted my daughter to develop a love for reading that I didn’t acquire until much later in life,” says Brooke Gibbs, a mom from Lakewood, about her initiative to create a tween book club. “Tween girls are at such an awkward phase, so coming together and discussing their opinions is invaluable!”
Utilize these strategies to cultivate your family’s passion for books, increasing the likelihood of your kids developing a lifelong reading habit.
