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For those with children, how do you inspire them to read?
I am studying Library Science and Information Technology, and I am struggling to get kids to read! Any ideas?
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Lina !
It is fabulous that you are pursuing such a dynamic career in Library Science ! I would be happy to give you advice.
If a child hasn't been given the involvement or encouragement to read from their parents to begin with, there needs to be awareness for the parents to bring their children to the Library for exciting reading events and activities. Our public Library has a Literacy Program for all ages. So I believe that a Library is more than just books on a shelf, it can be a fun, energizing and inspiring place for children.
Book readings at a library can be one thing that you can be involved in. Arrange with the library on campus or your local branch in your city to do children's book readings. Tell them a story in a broad, animated way, acting out the characters in an entertaining manner. You will reach them and they will be curious and led to reading books to discover stories themselves.
For older children, The San Diego Public Library has a digital platform at which children and others can read eBooks. This is a good way to motivate kids to read. Their collections of books and perhaps music and audio books can be accessed through their cloudLibrary. The San Diego County Library has books through their OverDrive and eLibrary. If you are attending UC San Diego, their Library has a lot of online eBooks and materials and you can learn more about all of these resources by going to their websites.
Programs and activities at a library would be a good start. Once you are involved with them, other ideas will begin to emerge for you as to what to do. As a student one of the best things that you will learn is how to make reading and writing fun for children. Through the courses you take and volunteer or internship work that you do, you will begin to be creative with developing ways to motivate and capture the interest of children for reading and writing.
Please do not take it personally. All children are different and it may take different things for some to warm up to learning how to and wanting to read. You can find out if you can go into the schools with a reading program that you develop. You would contact the English department at elementary schools to see if they would like something like this. See if you could partner with an English teacher and think of an activity for which kids get a reward for reading and telling or writing about the book. You will learn so much more about what motivates children as you study your major.
Some other ideas to provide to children which sound fun are StoryWalk, Dewey Decimal System Challenge, Book Wish List, Library Scavenger Hunt, and setting End of Year Reading Goals. You can find more information about these through an online search.
Just remember that each child develops differently and for so many different reasons. You will learn how to reach each child as you go along with your education and college projects. In my case, I started speaking at 14 months old and started reading at a third grade level when I was four years old. This is because I had an innate curiosity and would ask my parents what signs and billboards said. I retained it. I guess having early language skills helped. So do not worry, you will have some very rewarding experiences both in college and in your career !
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
It is fabulous that you are pursuing such a dynamic career in Library Science ! I would be happy to give you advice.
If a child hasn't been given the involvement or encouragement to read from their parents to begin with, there needs to be awareness for the parents to bring their children to the Library for exciting reading events and activities. Our public Library has a Literacy Program for all ages. So I believe that a Library is more than just books on a shelf, it can be a fun, energizing and inspiring place for children.
Book readings at a library can be one thing that you can be involved in. Arrange with the library on campus or your local branch in your city to do children's book readings. Tell them a story in a broad, animated way, acting out the characters in an entertaining manner. You will reach them and they will be curious and led to reading books to discover stories themselves.
For older children, The San Diego Public Library has a digital platform at which children and others can read eBooks. This is a good way to motivate kids to read. Their collections of books and perhaps music and audio books can be accessed through their cloudLibrary. The San Diego County Library has books through their OverDrive and eLibrary. If you are attending UC San Diego, their Library has a lot of online eBooks and materials and you can learn more about all of these resources by going to their websites.
Programs and activities at a library would be a good start. Once you are involved with them, other ideas will begin to emerge for you as to what to do. As a student one of the best things that you will learn is how to make reading and writing fun for children. Through the courses you take and volunteer or internship work that you do, you will begin to be creative with developing ways to motivate and capture the interest of children for reading and writing.
Please do not take it personally. All children are different and it may take different things for some to warm up to learning how to and wanting to read. You can find out if you can go into the schools with a reading program that you develop. You would contact the English department at elementary schools to see if they would like something like this. See if you could partner with an English teacher and think of an activity for which kids get a reward for reading and telling or writing about the book. You will learn so much more about what motivates children as you study your major.
Some other ideas to provide to children which sound fun are StoryWalk, Dewey Decimal System Challenge, Book Wish List, Library Scavenger Hunt, and setting End of Year Reading Goals. You can find more information about these through an online search.
Just remember that each child develops differently and for so many different reasons. You will learn how to reach each child as you go along with your education and college projects. In my case, I started speaking at 14 months old and started reading at a third grade level when I was four years old. This is because I had an innate curiosity and would ask my parents what signs and billboards said. I retained it. I guess having early language skills helped. So do not worry, you will have some very rewarding experiences both in college and in your career !
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Great answer!
Katie Schwartz, CCC-SLP
@Katie Schwartz, CCC-SLP Thank you ever so much , Katie !
Michelle M.
Updated
Katie’s Answer
Find books at their reading level on a topic of interest to each person. Show them where books are on that topic, too. Read aloud daily to them. Choose Your Own Adventure is a genre that requires readers to make decisions about what will happen next and gets readers involved. Have children write a short story about something that happened t them, or they wish had happened to them. Illustrate the stories and bind them into a "book" to be shared. Have a paper airplane flying contest, with books on how to fold paper airplanes prominently displayed. Make friends with a great children's librarian and ask for advice!
Updated
Sule’s Answer
Inspiring kids to read can be challenging, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to get creative! Here are some strategies:
1. Create a Fun Environment
Themed Reading Spaces: Design cozy, inviting reading corners with themes kids love (space, jungle, fantasy).
Interactive Storytime: Act out stories, use props, or invite kids to participate in the storytelling.
2. Offer Choice
Varied Genres: Provide books on topics that interest them—sports, adventure, animals, or even graphic novels.
Let Them Pick: Encourage them to choose what they want to read, even if it’s magazines or comic books.
3. Incorporate Technology
E-Books and Apps: Use interactive reading apps or audiobooks for tech-savvy kids.
Gamify Reading: Introduce challenges, like earning points for each book read.
4. Set an Example
Be a Reading Role Model: Share your enthusiasm for books and talk about what you’re reading.
Read Together: Have group or family reading time.
5. Make Reading Social
Book Clubs: Start a kids’ book club where they can discuss books and do related activities.
Library Events: Host events like author visits, puppet shows, or craft sessions tied to books.
6. Incentives
Rewards for Reading: Offer small rewards or recognition for completing books or achieving milestones.
Book Bingo: Create a reading bingo game with different types of books or challenges.
7. Connect Books to Real Life
Hands-On Activities: Pair books with activities (e.g., cooking from a story, building a project from a book).
Field Trips: Link books to real-world experiences, like visiting a museum after reading about history
1. Create a Fun Environment
Themed Reading Spaces: Design cozy, inviting reading corners with themes kids love (space, jungle, fantasy).
Interactive Storytime: Act out stories, use props, or invite kids to participate in the storytelling.
2. Offer Choice
Varied Genres: Provide books on topics that interest them—sports, adventure, animals, or even graphic novels.
Let Them Pick: Encourage them to choose what they want to read, even if it’s magazines or comic books.
3. Incorporate Technology
E-Books and Apps: Use interactive reading apps or audiobooks for tech-savvy kids.
Gamify Reading: Introduce challenges, like earning points for each book read.
4. Set an Example
Be a Reading Role Model: Share your enthusiasm for books and talk about what you’re reading.
Read Together: Have group or family reading time.
5. Make Reading Social
Book Clubs: Start a kids’ book club where they can discuss books and do related activities.
Library Events: Host events like author visits, puppet shows, or craft sessions tied to books.
6. Incentives
Rewards for Reading: Offer small rewards or recognition for completing books or achieving milestones.
Book Bingo: Create a reading bingo game with different types of books or challenges.
7. Connect Books to Real Life
Hands-On Activities: Pair books with activities (e.g., cooking from a story, building a project from a book).
Field Trips: Link books to real-world experiences, like visiting a museum after reading about history
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
I have found that tapping into things they enjoy goes a long way. I have four kids and some of them enjoy sports where others are more fantasy driven. I have spent more money than I care to admit on some rather silly books, but they were obsessed with them, and it was worth it to improve their reading level.