WHY YOU SHOULD READ CHILDREN’S BOOKS AS AN ADULT

WHY YOU SHOULD READ CHILDREN’S BOOKS AS AN ADULT

BY JEN ROBINSON

(From Donalyn Miller’s The Book Whisperer)

1. It’s fun.
2. It keeps your imagination active.
3. It strengthens your relationship with the children in your life who read.
4. It sets an example for the children in your life, making them more likely to become readers.
5. It clues you in on cultural references that you may have missed (both current and classical).
6. It’s fast. Children’s books are usually shorter than adult books, so if you don’t think you have time to read, you DO have time to read children’s books.
7. It allows you to read across genres. Children’s books aren’t limited to mystery OR science fiction OR fantasy OR literary fiction. They can have it all.
8. It’s like time travel- it’s an easy way to remember the child that you once were, when you first read a book.
9. It’s often inspirational- reading about heroes and bravery and loyalty makes you want to be a better person. And couldn’t we all do with some of that?
10. Did I mention that it’s fun?

Creating a Reading Culture at Home

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/book_whisperer/

Parents often ask teachers and librarians for tips on how to encourage their children to read more at home. The conditions that foster lifelong reading habits in children are remarkably robust and apply to both home and school reading. Here are some suggestions for parents who want to create a reading culture at home.

This is my graduating senior!! who LOVES to read :)

Dedicate time for reading. If we make time for what we value, we must set aside reading time each day. Set aside at least twenty minutes each day for family reading time. Each family member may read something of their choice or the family can gather for a shared read aloud.

Carry books. Add a book for every family member to your leaving the house checklist. Running errands, doctor and dental appointments, haircuts, shopping--all provide stolen opportunities to read when children (and adults) are waiting and bored.

Read aloud. For most children, sharing books with family members is their first experience with books. Reading aloud to your children, even into the teenage years, reinforces a pleasurable bond between books and family. Sharing books as a family creates memorable experiences and provides topics for discussions, too.

Provide access to books. Children should experience a "book flood," with abundant access to a wide-range of reading material. Take children to the library, buy books as presents, and subscribe to children's magazines.

Role model a reading life. Children mimic the behaviors we model for them. If they see adults reading daily and enjoying it, children are more likely to perceive reading as meaningful. Adults, who read and share their love of reading with children, send a powerful message that reading matters.

Allow children to choose books. Children should choose most of the books they read. Forcing children to read books that don't interest them turns many kids off reading altogether. While you may bemoan the less than highbrow selections your child chooses to read, support his/her independence and self-direction as a reader by celebrating free choice.