Weekend Reflections: Encouraging Reading (Changing Strategy)
Books on a ledge
School is into it’s 3rd week and the boys are now back into the school routine for 2013. This year my focus with them is to encourage them to read more and add in more varieties of books to exposure them to the vast amount of literature that is out there. Many times they stick to only the types of books that interest them – Non fiction science facts and the Adventures of Geronimo Stilton which does not help in developing their creativity and analytical thinking.
I personally do read a great variety of books on a monthly basis. You just need to click on the category- book reviews to see my latest reads. I’m really hoping that the kids will be exposed to more a great selection of books from the authors which I used to read during my childhood. There are also many new good books out that I will be slowly introducing to them.
From this month I am going to chance the way we borrow books from the library. We used to let the kids pick out the books which they would like to read. Now I’m not going to let them have free reign of what to add to the library check out bag. They will still get their choice of books but I will limit it to the maximum 2 books. The other books that they read will be selected by me.
We normally check out about 16 books but most of the time do not get around to reading all of them as the kids are caught up with school work or the extra activities which they need to do. From next week we are only going to check out a maximum of 8 books. Half the original number. This way it will be easier for me to monitor which book is being read and the kids will have to write out book reviews after they have completed reading so I can assess their understanding of what they had recently read.
Doggie boy needs to ramp up his vocabulary in order to be on par with his peers in school. From the Thinkersbox assessment I learned that I need to do a lot more reading together with him and giving him more opportunities to vocalize and use whatever new vocabulary he has learned in daily context.
I will be doing daily reading and weekly activity sessions in regards to reading with all 3 kids. Hopefully this would boost their interest in reading.
What do you have plan to encourage your child to read?
What is on your mind this week? Join in by listing your post below in the linky.
January 25, 2013 @ 3:36 pm
I think that’s a good idea to have them write out book reviews! My dad encouraged me to do that when I was young too. I would always ask them to buy me a book when we go to the bookstore so he said that I should write something about what I read in return for the expense! Hehe 🙂
January 26, 2013 @ 12:07 am
My daughter is an eager-reader and that is because she was used that we read for her every night. But now that both hubby and mine’s hands are busy, I seldom oblige to read for her so I feel guilty about it. I am afraid that her interest in reading will diminish too.
January 26, 2013 @ 9:31 am
I love book reviews- I need to use that for my kids.
Since we have already read the 20 English books in our library I have to buy the books online. Which means that as much as I take into account what my kids want to read I add in my own requirements as well. Plus I love kidslit so I buy a lot for me that they just get to have read to them due to my delight! If it was up to my daughter all we would have is a bunch of Strawberry Shortcake books.
January 26, 2013 @ 8:08 pm
I submitted one post to this Weekend Reflections. 🙂 Like you, I am always looking for good books for my pre-tweens. Let me know if you have a recommendation.
January 27, 2013 @ 12:47 am
I admire your dedication and focus on your child’s development. You have so many ideas just to make sure that they are on the right path learning wise. Love for reading is a good thing to set in the minds of our kids.
January 27, 2013 @ 11:58 am
My 9 year old son went back into reading when I found his interest in kids magazine: K-Zone. I took advantage of that interest and bought him as much back issues I could get, which of course cost more than 50% off the original price. Now he’s not only into reading but he’s also into drawing and creatively crafting his jokes. 🙂
January 27, 2013 @ 1:29 pm
I think teaching your kids to love to read will help them when they grow older. My daughters (who are 14 and 16) love to read and write stories. You can encourage your children to make storybooks too and draw pictures on them.
January 29, 2013 @ 12:49 am
Encouraging children to read books is a great idea considering how hi-tech we are right now, books is still great compared to computers.
January 29, 2013 @ 3:31 pm
wow… i never thought it would really be hard work to encourage your kids to read…. i just provide lots of books to my 1yr old… though i worry he does not give so much attention… i guess boys are harder to be asked to read than girls… i just have that feeling… ;D