Raising Children to Love Reading

My parents never read much. I don't think I ever saw my dad reading unless he was reading a book to me! But, I am an avid reader. I go through 2-3 books every week. I used to get into trouble in school for hiding my books behind textbooks.

Kids love to read until they are asked to write about what they read, in a specific style and then critisized for it.

I'm with you... I have a housefull of books and my nose is constantly in one. I've been buying my kids books since before they were born, and have read to them everyday since forever. They actually get upset when I'm too busy to read to them, so they both started learning to read before the rest of their kids in their class so they didn't have to wait for me! Keep it up, and keep on leading by example, it sounds like you're doing fantastic :)

My mother read a lot and I do too. I am the only child out of 4 to do so though. I loved reading from a very early age too. Thankfully my older son loves to read. It does my heart so much good to have him lie on the beach next to me reading. Or to come in at 11 pm to find him still reading because he cannot put the book down it is so good. It is a hobby that we have in common and I love it. I don't see the same passion with my youngest-although he is a great reader he doesn't do it voluntarily to the exception of all else. He does it when there is nothing else to do-at bedtime.

I want to add that I really believe that it was the Harry Potter series that started this in him. They are exraordinarily good books for young children-and adults as well. We read them together and it was wonderful.

I think your theory is valid. I do believe that modeling reading is a great place to start to get your children into reading themselves.

My Mom was a single mom who was an alcoholic and worked 2 jobs until I was in 3rd grade ~ she never read to me and my sis but my sister took it upon herself to read to me and teach me to read, tie my shoes, etc.
My Sister and I are both avid readers. We love to read and I don't think it has anything to do with our mother.
I have books for my boys in just about every room in the house. If we have any down time at all they typically grab one and ask me to read to them. Sometimes at night we'll all snuggle up on the couch and read our own books.

It has been proven that most parents that have a love of reading, so do their children. Parents that read and provide reading material for their children also have great book lovers.

Our daughter never really had a "lovey", she slept surrounded by her books.. She always preferred time in a Book store or library, than anywhere else. Her room was full of bookshelves covered in books.

We never read just "age appropriate" books to her, because they bored her, so we started chapter books with her at 3. We played books on tape in the car, especially while on road trips..

When the Oklahoma city bombing occurred, I never forgot what the mother (Edye Stowe) of the 2 young brothers that died that day said. She said her only regret was that she did not read that 1 more book, her sons used to ask for at night.. We read and read to daughter all of the time. She even had subscriptions to childrens literature magazines, Eventually, she would read to us and it was thrilling. She still devours books and so do we..
Keep up that love of reading.

I remember seeing a study that it was related to how many books you had accessible as a child. My dad was a non reader and my mom was a mild reader, and I turned out to be an avid reader. My brother is a non-reader. My kids (although young, so it could turn around) have hundreds of books at their disposal in our house. We didn't make a habit of reading to them as babies or pushing it. We just would read to them when requested. At the ages of 5.5, 3.5, and 1.5 they are all very into books and reading. Also, my husband was an avid reader until about age 20. In the 8 years I've been with him, I don't think I've ever seen him read a full book now.

It sure sounds valid, but it's not the case with me! haha

My mom never read much when I was a kid (she does now), and I was the ultimate Bookmobile Library Nerd! I would get my limit of 13 books every two weeks and get them done in about 3 days. My mom would say "It's SO NICE out, why don't you GO OUTSIDE?" And I would pick up my books and go outside -- to read. :)

Hate to shoot down your theory, but maybe I'm just an exception. And as a reader, I hope my son loves to read. But it's not really happening yet. He's 8 and I've been reading to him-with him since he was about a day old. Go figure. This is hell for an English Lit minor mom.

I have never seen my parents read a book for fun. Yet I was reading by the time i was 4 years old and I still devour books to this day. So although I have seen studies that show children of parents who read are better readers - i think there are exceptions to every rule.

My mother is nuts over books and that's where I get it from.
From when my son was about 2 yrs old I read to him at every opportunity. It was what we did when ever we cuddled or snuggled. Once he could read, we didn't give up reading to each other. We'd play games. He'd read odd pages and I'd read the even ones. Now he reads as voraciously as I ever did (I just don't have the time I'd like to read as much as I'd like to) and when a book comes in that we both want to read as soon as we get it, we'll trade off reading chapters of it to each other. My husband is not big on recreational reading (if it's not a technical manual, he won't read it), but he'll love to listen to a story as we read it out loud.

My mom was a reader and she read to us - I think it's a healthy combination of the two. I often turn off our tv for reading time and encourage books at nap time (yeah I know some mom's will give me flack for that, but I could never sleep as a kid and books were my only way of relaxing).

For nearly every occasion we get them each a book and my son now has a tag reader even! He uses it constantly - all three are showing a love for books that makes me proud. So, again, it honestly seems to be a combination of lots of books and lots of reading.

It's not just a theory... it's very much research-supported!

When I was working in a school parents would ask me "what else" they could be doing to encourage their children to read and my response was always "let them see you reading!" It doesn't have to be a novel- read a magazine or the newspapery, but if your kids see you reading for enjoyment, then they are more likely to do so.

Even better... have "story hour" (or 20 minutes) in your house every night- where everyone is reading!

Sounds right--My mom was a hugh reader, so am I. I hope to pass it on to my 5yr old son-he's just learning how to read+he loves it when i read to him

I am the oldest of 5, we are all adults and 2 of us have children of reading age. My mom and dad were avid readers (sometimes dinner was cereal bc mom just couldn't put that book down LOL ). I don't remember my mom really reading to us but we were given books as gifts and there were always Readers Digest and National Geographic around. I know that my moms mom was a reader later in life-she had boxes of books in the back bedroom that I would raid as a teenager. My mom has 2 siblings, so of the 3 of them, 2 are avid readers, 1 is a non-reader. Of the 5 of us, 2 of us are avid readers, 2 are moderate readers and 1 is a non reader. I also think that one of the moderate readers would have been more avid if she had not had such terrible teachers in K and 1st grade.

Of the youngest generation, 2 are mine and I am an avid reader. I have an 8 ear old son that would sit and read all day, he is at least 2 grades ahead in reading comprehension and can read a 130 page book in an hour. My 5 year old daughter has had more trouble than her brother did in picking up reading as a skill but we never pushed and just kept reading to her and making reading fun and just recently, without asking her to, she started to read one of her books to me and said half way through the book-can you believe I am reading a book to you mom-it is so much fun! I felt a weight (that I had not realized was there) slip off my chest. We have made a weekly trip to the library for story time and craft for the last 7 years. My youngest sister is a moderate reader but has actively encouraged her son to read and has read to him since he was a baby, he is almost 5 and loves sounding out words and I am sure he will be reading soon.

I have to think that having parents that read does increase your chances of being an avid reader, but it is not a recipe that always works.

As an aside, my children are homeshcooled, so I am completely in charge of their early reading experiences.

Amanda J-if we couldn't find mom, my dad would tell us that she was in the library bc she would go hide in the bathroom to read too! LOL! We still refer to the bathroom as the library even though she doesn't have 5 kids to hide from anymore! :-)

I don't know, but I can tell you my Mom was an avid reader and so am I. My brother, on the other hand, will barely read directions, much less a book!

I am trying to instill the love of reading within my own children, ages 3 and 5. They currently love to be read to and I hope they grow up with the desire to read and learn as I did.

I remember my mom having alot of fiction novels around while I was growing up. However, I don't remember her reading to us kids at all on a regular basis. Maybe once or twice. Also we never got books as gifts and we never had children's books in the house. It was the late 70's early 80's so maybe it was not the thing to do like it is today? I'm not sure.

My kids have so many books around we are running out of space. I recently got a Library card and stopped buying books because it was getting so exspensive and I read to them regularly. For myself I don't read fiction like my mom did but only self-help books.

Reading some of your responses looks like your theory is de-bunked a bit, huh? I don't honestly know because everyone in my family is a reader. My sister left her one very serious boyfriend (before she met her now husband of course) for the 1 & only reason of he was not a reader & she worried that meant deep down he was not very smart. Now, I don't think I'd go quite that far, but I know I am a much, MUCH happier person if I have something good to read. I build time into my morning routine to read & it's also the very first thing I do when I get home from work for 15 minutes or so hiding out in the bathroom. It helps me wind down from the day before dealing with homework, mail, dinner, laundry, the litter box, dance class, and the other 50 million things waiting for me.

I dunno. My mom read all the time when I was growing up and I LOVE to read - my 2 younger sisters will barely read cereal boxes! Same with my husband: his parents both read lots of books, as does he...but his brother has never read anything he wasn't forced to for school.

I actually think it's a combination of seeing your parents read and having them read TO you as a child. My mom had plenty of time to read to me, but once my sisters came along (I was 4) her attention had to be divided = less reading.

I do know that my daughters are more likely to sit and read if they see ME reading (not that I have a lot of time right now!)

My parents were very much not readers and I LOVE to read. I think though in my case it's because I moved to the U.S. when I was nine and really wanted to learn English quickly and fit into school. So I read a lot so I would get better at it. My kids love to read (they are 6 and 3) and I think it has a lot to do with me. I read to them and they see me reading all the time. I even got my husband to read more often as he is not a big reader and neither is any of his family are readers.

My parents did not read. I am a voracious reader. Of my 6 children, only 2 love to read. One of the 2, out of the blue, surprised me with a Kindle, which I love. How's your theory going?

When I was a kid my dad read quite a bit, but ironically he stuck us in front of the TV. My mom didn't and still doesn't read for fun at all. Our house wan't full of books, however, I LOVE to read! If I could get away with it I would read all day. My son is now two and he also loves to read (well to be read to for now) and likes TV, but prefers to be read to.

Hi S., I've got 3 kids (18, 16, 13). Overall, I'd say I've got 2 readers, one not some much.
I love to read. I loved to read to THEM. They have all gone through phases where they've voluntarily read a LOT, and then got interested in something else, so not so much.
I personally think reading is like any other thing in life, some people like it, some people don't.
I also don't necessarily think it is the "Magic Wand" of a successful child. My 'non' reader is the brightest most successful student academically. The other two are excellent students as well, but have more balance in their lives other than grades. It just seems to be a personality choice.

So OF COURSE we should encourage reading in our children's life, but if any given child doesn't enjoy it, it's doesn't mean they had substandard parenting.

Have a great day!

:)

I come from a family of readers..or at least most my family. Though it wasn't always books.
My husband it is like pulling teeth to even get him to read a line or two of anything. He will read manuals and such for work but nothing for fun.
But both are boys are readers. Now it took a while for it to click with them even though they always saw me with books. But now they tear through books like the house is on fire. My husband just shakes his head and says he can't understand why we read for fun. LOL My boys have now gotten to the point that they will shake their heads and say they can't understand why he wont try reading for fun. It is funny to watch at times.
If your children aren't interested at first don't push but offer a variety of books. Even if the book doesn't appeal to you it might to them.

My parents were generally non-readers while I was growing up. I am not sure I ever saw one of them with a book. I grew up hating reading but it had nothing to do with my parents. It had everything to do with a terrible teacher.

Somehow I got talked into joining a book club a little over a year ago. Now, I find myself reading whenever I can get the chance.

I'm not sure your theory is valid. :) I think whether you are a reader or not really depends on all kinds of factors. I imagine I would have "discovered" reading before I did if that teacher hadn't been so absolutely horrible.

I grew up with a mom who read everything she could get her hands on, and who read to me constantly - Dad was not as much of a reader - so, a 50-50 split. Result: I LOVE and LIVE to read! Now, my husband is not an avid reader, although he did enjoy reading to our 2 children when they were young (we both did). Result: one reader, and one non-reader (and even the "reader' is not as passionate about it as I am). So, I'm not really sure where that stands regarding your survey...as much as I tried to instill a love of reading in both my kids from Day 1, I can't say I was 100% successful. I will say, however, that my "reader" is a better overall student than my "non-reader", which is no accident, in my opinion. I think despite our best intentions, the way reading is introduced in the early years of school also makes a huge difference in how students "take" to it. Becoming frustrated with it, or falling a little behind, can kind of create a snowball effect with some kids that makes them disinclined to keep trying to find the fun in it. Well, at least that's been my experience. Whether or not kids grow up to be avid readers, I think it's so important to encourage it at a young age - it's such wonderful quality time! Great question!

My parents were occasional readers and I was one of those kids whose nose rarely came out of a book. These days I'm totally into audiobooks, yes those count too! I love them because I can do something else with my hands at the same time. I rarely open a paper book for myself otherwise. The exception is kid reading time.

My 1st grader is a voracious reader, I can hardly keep her stocked from the library. My 3rd grader has little interest in reading to himself but still loves for me to read to them. As long as he loves it, I'll keep doing it and maybe some day he'll pick up a book himself. The fun thing is that as they get older we're getting into more complicated books, the Harry Potter series right now. Even my husband, who isn't a reader, doesn't want to miss the nightly Harry Potter.

i think it's true in a very broad generalized sort of way. like most generalizations it has many many exceptions and can't be applied across the board.
my parents were avid readers and so am i. my kids grew up being read to at breakfast and bedtime, and did tons and tons of individual reading during their homeschool years. maybe it was overload. neither of them reads much for pleasure now, although i hope they return to it.
my husband was never a reader, but in the last few years he's turned into one. he has me pick him up audio books at the library so he can listen on his long commute, and also reads before bed every night.
so while your scenario isn't a life sentence either way, i do think that it's a valid place to start the discussion.
:) khairete
S.

LOL Laurie A. my daughter slept with her library book from school last night...

My dad read a lot. Maybe not books all the time but he always came home and read the newspaper. He didn't really get into reading books until he was older, or at least that is what I remember. My mom read sometimes, not so much anymore.

I love to read when I get the time. Ashamed to say this, but books on cd have consumed most of my life these days. I listen to them as I commute. But when I do finally get the time, it consumes me. (For now the only reading I get to do most of is children books to my girls)

I have two daughters, I think one is going to more of a reader than the other. Neither can read yet, but my oldest loves me to read her stories. Depending on the mood of my youngest, she may or may not sit through a whole book.

From what I have read, studies show 2 things help contribute to reading/love of books:
1) you reading -- the kids see this example and follow it.
2) you reading to your kids, and not just to the toddler/preschool years.

My mom is a big reader of books, fiction & non-fiction. My dad read science magazines (but not books), and he read to us a lot when we were little (fond memories). We were encouraged to read. Myself & 3 sibs all are pretty intense readers (books), and my other sib reads mags though not books.

We started reading to our son at age 6m, and he loves reading with us (though he does get bored and does need to move around a lot; he's 2, so that's a given). We also talk about the books with him, and go over the stories with him. We try to pick books on subjects he likes, and also let him pick books at the library now (1 or 2, every other week). He also goes to storytime at the library once per week.

Check out your local library and see what resources they have. With ours, they gave us a free packet of fingerplay songs/stories and a book and tips on encouraging reading.

So, share your joy! :)

There is some validity in the thought, because kids learn what they live. If you read there's more chance they will too. Setting the example and all that.

HOWEVER, every child is different. Neither of my parents were big readers, my older sister reads some, my younger brother reads some. Me ... I've read about 7,800 books in my lifetime. I border on OCD when it comes to books (might even go past border LOL).

My kids ... well my daughter is the big reader of the 3. The boys both read, but not like she does, my youngest son reads the least. Although all 3 of them are VERY good and advanced readers. My hubby reads some ... less than a dozen books a year on average.

My mom was not an avid reader, but did read occassionally. I read a lot as a teen and young adult, but not very much now.

Both my daughters are readers. I think this is because I started reading to them at a young age. There are tons of books in our house.

Both my husband and I love to read. However, of our three kids, only one is an avid reader. The other two have to read for school, of course, but they will only read for fun if they find a book that appeals to them, and it is pretty hard to find books that they enjoy.

i dont remember my parents reading. i love to read. i think if kids see their parents read they want to at least try it. but if you arent a good reader i can imagine that reading won't be fun enough for you to want to read. reading to your kids may help but i never did that and my kids love to read also. but they see me read all of the time so i think they feel it's normal and something fun to do. my kids are 5 and 11 by the way. the 11 year old always want to have a book with her in case shes bored. i'm glad they have this love. so i think you can't just love to read you have to read in front of your kids. have them SEE you love it and think it's a fun activity to have.

Sorry to shoot your theory down, but I will have to disagree. My mom is a non-reader, about the only thing she "reads" is the t.v. guide. My sister and I grew up both loving to read. I started reading in Kindergarten and loved going to the library to get more book. I'm sure my mom must have read me an occasional book but not that I can recall.

My father is also a non-reader. I don't remember every seeing a book in his hand & he also sometimes gave us grief because he thought our reading so much was the reason my sister and I needed glasses. :)

Great question. I admit I did not read all the responses, so I'm sorry if this is repeating.
I grew up in a non-reading family and like you LOVE to read. I always have at least 2-3 books going at one time, depending on my mood.
My husband grew up in a a reading family and I would say he enjoys reading, but not always for pleasure because he reads so much for work.
Our 2 kids are a mixed bag. Our 20 year old son is NOT a reader. Well, I guess it would depend on how you define it. He will not pick up a novel or non-fictioin book if it's not assigned. But for years we paid for ESPN and Sports Illustrated subscriptions thinking he was reading something!
Our 16 year old daughter is just like me. She may have a book or two required for some class in school she's working on, an still have something else on the side.
And trust me, I had books available, and read to them constantly when they were little. I think it's something that just clicks or not.

My father was illiterate and my mother didn't have time to read. She was usually at work before we kids got up in the morning and didn't get home until late in the evening. I guess I started out reading so much to escape my dreary life. My husband and I both absolutely love to read. We have 3 bookshelves full of books in our house. I have one son who is a reluctant reader and one who absolutely refuses to read anything other than comic books. (They are ages 14 and 12). So for me personally your theory doesn't pan out. This was a fun topic for discussion! I will be interested to see what kind of replies you get.

I love to read but no-one in my home read. I did not live w/ my mom but she did read some in the evenings.

I tried to read to my son since before he was born. Once he was born it was next to impossible to have him listen (he cried). He is now 19 and still dislikes it. My daughter is 4 and is just learning but loves books!

I think it's a good theory, however, I'm not much of a reader. I hated reading as a child, but now I enjoy it a lot. I just don't have much time to do it. I have a daughter 15, who loves to read. Every time we go to the store she wants to buy a book more a novel. She loves long books and will re-read them over and over again. I read some stories, not every day to her, when she was young. Her brother will read, and likes books that interest him, but picking up a book is one of the last things he'll do. I do encourage it because I wish now that I read more as a child. I also think children who are readers do better in school.