Getting kids to read in the summer is not always easy.
Getting some kids to read during the school year is not easy. Actually, getting some kids to read any time of the year is difficult, especially if you've got a strong-willed reluctant reader on your hands.
And though we're doing our best to support you over here at the Raise a Reader blog, we also know that there are some kids who just really, truly despise reading.
We have covered a ton of related topics in the past:
- What to do when kids refuse to do summer reading
- Reluctant readers allowed
- Play on kids' interests
- High-interest books for struggling middle schoolers
- Encourage reading during TV
And we've written about a ton of ways to make summer reading fun:
- Get your kids to read this summer
- Summer reading after dark
- Summer reading book swap and review party
- Cool books during hot summer months
Don't forget the tricky, sneaky ways of getting kids to read:
- Get kids hooked on a series
- Get bookfit in 2014
- Help kids connect to books they read
- 15 reading materials that aren't books
- The power of potty humor
- Read and watch movies
What if you tried all of these things but nothing resonates? What if you feel like nothing works for your kid?
Then perhaps just going with it and celebrating even the small reading successes is what you want to roll with. Perhaps you need to look at your child's reading a little more creatively.
Wondering if this reading material counts? Sure it does. I mean, it doesn't replace the reading of a classic or a New York Times bestseller, but this stuff will keep kids reading.
So, in my book, when we're talking tough kids who don't dig reading, all of this counts:
- Magazines
- Video game guides
- Sports section of the newspaper
- Travel brochures
- Instruction manuals
- Assembly guides
- Fan fiction sites
- Menus
- Sports Center ticker
- Comics
- Video game website character bios
- Mad Libs
- Word searches
- Crossword puzzles
- Trading cards
- Music lyrics
- Recipes
Summer reading in small doses—that's what we're talking about. Not at all a substitute for authentic, meaningful reading of a novel, play, poetry, or textbook, but in my book, this material DOES count.
What do you think? Would you say this material counts, or not?
Share your thoughts on the Scholastic Parents Facebook page, or find Amy on Twitter, @teachmama, and let's continue the conversation!
