How do you get children to fall in love with reading?
My children love reading. I’ve always tried to support their interests. This includes supporting their book and reading selections. In raising unschoolers, I’ve tried to avoid ‘required’ reading or assigned books. For me, and I think for most people, being required to read something (or do something) is almost a surefire way to kill joy and enthusiasm.
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Instead, I’ve found that the key to getting kids excited about reading–and reading different genres of books–is to have a wide selection of books available at home. Books from different genres. And books from a range of authors and backgrounds. As well as, books from different time periods.
Making bookstores and libraries part of the fabric of the family lifestyle is also key to helping kids fall in love with reading. Of course, modeling a passion for reading is as well.
I’ve never rushed my kids to learn to read, and I think that’s also a big reason why they love to read.
There’s No Rush to Read or Fall in Love with Learning – Trust Your Child’s Own Timetable
Like in the Waldorf tradition, I have come to see and believe in the beauty and personal and emotional rewards (for my child) that come from a natural approach to early education.
From a natural, exploratory, interest-led approach, children can develop a deep love of learning and self-confidence.
Early education that emphasizes oral learning, listening, and telling/re-telling of stories before emphasizing reading or written work is typically counter to the approach of mainstream education. However, in raising four children, I have discovered that there’s something quite powerful, intrinsically rewarding (for the child), and natural that comes from allowing reading proficiency to develop at a natural pace.
My Story – How My Children Fell in Love with Reading
My oldest child went to school for preschool. She also went to kindergarten. Then, she attended almost all of first grade. She is my only child to have attended ‘school.’
Perhaps it is merely coincidental, but out of all of my children, it took her the longest period of time to truly fall in love with reading. And it took her the longest not to consider reading a chore.
On the other hand, my other daughter, who has never attended preschool or school, taught herself to read at age four.
My boys taught themselves to read around 8 and 9 years old. With my first son, I worried that he was learning to read ‘too late’ compared to school standards. He was 8!!! Eeek!
But I had to remind myself to trust him. AND to trust his timetable. Of course, I also had to remind myself to trust…well, Myself. When he started reading, he jumped right into ‘thick’ chapter books, including non-fiction books published for much older readers.
I’ve never set rules or age limits on what my kids can or can’t read. It made me happy to learn that author Dayna Martin, a prominent unschooling mom, and author of Radical Unschooling: A Revolution Has Begun, took a similar approach when her children learned to read. She tells on a Facebook post that one of the first books her daughter read was by Marilyn Manson.
Books That Just Might Make Your Reluctant Readers Fall in Love With Reading
If you’re looking for book ideas for your children, here are some books that my unschoolers have loved over the years.
Sprinkle some of these around your house.
You might be surprised to see your children gravitate toward them. Give them time and space to take interest.
Believe it or not now, but you might just actually see them put down their screens and pick up a book.
As a note, depending on your child, audio books or Kindle books might be a great option to consider. Get some online titles for their devices. Libraries often have free ebooks to download. Some children, like some adults, really do prefer reading (and find it easier) on a screen.
Graphic Novels
Graphic Novels, think comic books, are awesome reads for kids to develop curiosity and enthusiasm for reading. It’s hard to go wrong with graphic novels by Raina Telgemeier. They are geared toward middle school readers (grades 4-8).
My kids love this graphic novel!
And this one…
And this one too…
I am sure that my daughter’s interest in the graphic biography of Anne Frank had something to do with her desire to read the full Diary of Anne Frank (Diary of a Young Girl). There are other classics, too, in graphic novel form. If there’s a book you’d like your child to read, try a graphic novel to start. Also, if they’ve expressed interest in a particular book that they aren’t quite ready to grasp (perhaps because of the length, depth, or subject matter), see if there’s a graphic novel version to get him/her started.
Poetry
If your older child or teen is reluctant to read, poetry or short stories can be a great way to build interest in reading and reader confidence.
Look for ‘social media’ poetry, like InstaPoets or #instapoetry (poets made famous through Instagram), which your teens may find relatable, short and sweet, and easy to read – but hard to put down.
You may also find you love reading instapoetry. Even my grandmother loves reading Rupi Kaur’s poetry. Keep in mind, some of this modern, instapoetry is raw, un-sugarcoated, brutally honest, and graphic (blush, cringe, cry, or laugh worthy). So if you have concerns about that, you may wish to do your own preview of the book first. Vogue published a good list of the Best Poets on Instagram here.
Short Stories -To Love Reading
Winner, winner, chicken dinner, right here! It’s hard to go wrong with these short story reads. For years, I’ve found these books featuring creative, empowering, and fun short stories beside my children’s beds after they’ve fallen asleep reading them. One such book includes the Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls series.
Books for Parents Interested in Homeschooling, Unschooling, or Worldschooling
If you’re thinking about homeschooling, changing your homeschooling approach, or adopting a travel/schooling lifestyle, these are some books I recommend, like Becoming Barenaked, the true story about a family who sold everything to travel and homeschool.
I also highly recommend you check out The Best Homeschooling Books for Parents.
So, Ditch the Required School Reads and Help Your Children Fall in Love with Reading
Reading is scrumptious. It’s empowering. It’s life changing. Fill your home with amazing, inspiring books and watch your children fall head over heals in love with reading and learning.
Share the Love – Pin This Post
If this post was helpful, please consider sharing the love. Pin it. Tweet it. Or share it to help others discover ways to help their children fall in love with reading. Thank you! 🙂
Please drop a line if these books inspire your children (or you) to fall in love with reading, and self, interest-led reading.
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