How to Raise Kids Who Like to Read

One of the tremendous benefits of homeschooling is tailoring education to fit each child’s needs. Parents are experts on their children and know well that each unique child learns differently, develops differently, and holds different interests. What worked for one may not work for another. You have the freedom to customize your child’s education so keep this simple concept in mind as you raise readers through every age and stage: avoid frustration. 

Avoid Frustration While Learning to Read

Throw time frames and expectations away when working with an early reader. Stick to your child’s unique schedule and needs for a successful start. Needs will become evident through frustration level. Tears may signal frustration and so may uncooperativeness. Take those signs as communication that your reader is overwhelmed. This is a good time to pause and adjust. Feel free to put reading work aside temporarily. It is okay to take a day or week off to refuel and give growing minds a rest. 

Plan to devote plenty of time to your early reader. This is a special season that requires a lot of side-by-side support. Remember that learning to read is a stage, and stages don’t last forever. Once a child learns to read, your homeschooling work gets a bit easier. He or she will no longer require you to sit by their side for every moment of school. Your efforts and dedication will soon produce an increasingly independent learner who can read assignments and directions. You will also eventually have a child who is capable of reading the Bible, which may be the ultimate goal of reading. 

Review regularly. It may help to have a simple review system. You could write new or challenging words on index cards or sticky notes or a whiteboard and then review them together every day. Add a bit of your own creativity to turn these review times into games. 

Some children appreciate an introduction to a new book. Consider introducing the book by reading it out loud yourself the first time or by previewing difficult words even if your goal is to have the child read the book independently, 

Take turns reading. Your child might be encouraged by taking turns reading out loud with you. Try reading every other sentence in a short book or passage. Or try alternating pages with your child; have them read the left page and then you read the right page. If they are overwhelmed with having to read the larger portion of text, go ahead and switch. They’ll appreciate the rescue—and your grace.

Provide an audience for your new reader to grow their confidence. Let your child read to grandma over the phone, to a younger sibling, or even a pet.

Avoid Frustration While Helping Your Child Share and Understand the Story

Have you ever opened a book you just cannot get excited about? Chances are your reader will too. It isn’t the end of the world if a book you intended for your child turns out to be unappealing. Give grace when a book isn’t a homerun. No one likes every book. A published book or even an award-winner does not necessarily equal worthwhile reading material. You can help your child learn to discern good standards for reading material.

Study guides can be useful if they don’t remove the joy from the book. Overanalyzing a book may be frustrating though. Your creativity will help you provide alternative ways for students to demonstrate understanding of what they read, and that’s really what a study guide or a book report’s purpose is. Give each child a stack of books for the year or wrap one up like a gift each month (even if it’s not new). Place a sticky note inside with a fun way you’d like them to report on what they’ve read. An artist can draw or paint a scene from a book. A Lego enthusiast can build a scene. An actor can dramatize or read a favorite portion out loud. A writer can explain in a letter why a friend should read the book.      

Keep reading out loud to your children as long as it works for your family, even if you have strong readers. Read-alouds allow you to experience stories and make memories together. Read-aloud time need not be rigid. It may be especially appealing to children when they are allowed to draw or color or play quietly with blocks or Legos. They can listen while their hands are busy. Or, invite them to cuddle up with you on the couch or simply rest while you read out loud. 

Make a practice of encouraging your child to look up unfamiliar words they come across while reading. Consider providing a dictionary or allowing use of a dictionary app so your child can readily understand words they haven’t encountered before. This habit will provide a greater vocabulary as well as greater reading comprehension, making their reading material more worthwhile and enjoyable.

Avoid Frustration in High School Reading Assignments

If an assigned book has extremely archaic or difficult language, don’t be afraid to substitute a different book or assign a portion instead. Consider reading or assigning a chapter or part of the originally-intended book so that your student still has the opportunity to experience the poetic language or author’s style. Alternatively, perhaps you could read a difficult book out loud or have your student listen to a recording of the book. 

Consider substituting the movie version of a book occasionally for a busy teen. Enjoy the time watching together. Viewing a good story just may make your student desire to read the book too.

It is wonderful to know what your child is reading and to take the time to personally read the books you assign. Avoid frustration yourself, though, by realizing you likely will not be able to read every book your child reads. If you are able, read as many as you can so you may engage in meaningful discussion with your teen. Remember, reading novels requires time. Perhaps aim to read any novels you haven’t previously encountered. For books you can’t cover yourself, take advantage of online reviews and descriptions so you are aware of what your child is reading. 

Your high school student may have more time to enjoy reading once he or she graduates. The high school years can be an incredibly busy time for students with increased academic loads, outside interests and commitments, and preparations for the future. If your high schooler isn’t currently interested in reading, you are not a failure as a homeschool parent. It may simply equate to a lack of time. If they leave their school days behind knowing how to read God’s word, that is ultimate success.   

Would you like to keep reading about raising readers? The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine has archived years of articles online. Search the Digital Magazine Archives of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine for dozens of articles that will encourage and inform homeschool parents like you as you raise readers. Or search for articles and read free on the go with www.TOSApps.com. Happy reading! 

By Heidi Mosher

Heidi Mosher writes from just across the border in Michigan where she homeschools three of her children and strives to point them to the Lord. She is also the mother of a recent homeschool graduate. Educated at Dordt College in Iowa (with a Canadian roommate), Heidi currently serves The Old Schoolhouse® as Press Release Manager and Marketing Writer. She loves hiking, studying God’s word, children’s literature, making things look pretty, and all things Dutch.