Teaching Kids to Read on Their Own—5 Tips to Make It Happen

by Mary Follin

​Teaching kids to read on their own isn't always easy. If you grew up on a steady diet of good books, you want your children to know what it feels like to 'not be able to put a book down.' But today’s kids aren't as inclined to pick up a book the way we did 'back in the day.'
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As kids, we turned to books on hot summer afternoons when there was nothing to do. Or on rainy days, when it was too cold and wet to go outside. And who doesn’t remember those temperate, not-a-cloud-in-the-sky Saturdays when mom or dad told you to put that book down and go out and get some sunshine?
If this was part of your childhood, you most likely want that for your child, too. Try these 5 tips for teaching kids to read on their own.

Teaching kids to read on their own: 5 tips

1)  Books by mail. Kids love to get mail. Join an online book swap, so your child can choose his or her own book and order it from another reader. You will be pleasantly surprised to see your child checking the mailbox for the latest book, then reading it as soon as it comes in. The only cost you incur is postage to send your contribution to another little reader.

2)  Front yard libraries. Start a Little Free Library—you can buy one or make your own. These free-standing libraries hold about 20 books, and you can set them up in your front yard or on community property. You may want to restrict this “Take a Book, Leave a Book” concept to children’s books only, or you can extend the service to everyone. Your child will love checking it every day to see which books were taken and which ones were dropped off. As an added benefit, neighbors with children will stop in front of it, giving your child a chance to meet new friends.

3)  Book clubs. Start a book club for a small group of your child’s friends. Your child will look forward to reading the book, and the ensuing discussion will help him or her come to understand books in a new way. 

4)  Book shopping. This one may sound simplistic, but it works. Let your child buy a book every now and then. Ownership creates responsibility. If your child spends his or her time at a bookstore choosing the perfect book, the likelihood of that book getting read goes up. If there are no bookstores near you, try a book delivery service. The point is, let your child choose the titles.

5) The Dolly Parton Imagination Library. This free service sponsored by Dolly Parton is an exciting way to keep your child engaged in books. Sign up and your child will receive a free book in the mail every month!
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6)  Set an example. If you have your nose in a book, chances are, your child will, too. Rather than reading at night before you go to bed, read during the day so that your child can see that reading is a ‘big people’ thing to do. Better yet, each of you grab a book, go to a nearby coffee shop, and order a latte for you and a smoothie for your child. Curl up in those big, comfy chairs and read away. As an added bonus, sometimes bookstores are connected to coffee shops. You can make a day of it!

If you're tired of nagging your kids to read, try some of these tips. Make it a family affair, and you will foster that love of reading that you so badly want for your children. Teaching kids to read on their own is a lot easier when you make it fun!
Check out 'ASK MOM' in Fredericksburg Parent & Family magazine for advice on issues you may be experiencing as a parent! 
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Winner of the Gertrude Warner Book Award and the Moonbeam Children's Book Award, an adventure for kids ages 8-12 who love video games. Available on Audible, Kindle & paperback.
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ASK MOM, featured in Fredericksburg Parent & Family Magazine.
Founder and creator Mary Follin started her career as a systems engineer with IBM. She's worked in product development, market research, and more recently provides marketing consulting to professional services firms. Beyond creating Teach Your Child to Read™, she is also the author of Ethyr, winner of the the Moonbeam Children's Book Award and the Gertrude Warner Book Award.
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Mary is also author, with Erika Guerrero, of the advice column ASK MOM in Fredericksburg Parent & Family magazine.
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