Thursday, March 01, 2007

More Tips for Improving Your Child's Literacy

Children's LiteratureThis is the second half of last Thursday's list found here.

1. Plant books in high-traffic areas and make bookshelves accessible to short legs.

2. Subscribe to magazines. Classics Illustrated is a publication that has put classic novels such as The Three Musketeers into comic book format. Also Zoobooks and National Geographic for Kids are two other magazines I'd recommend.

3. Cut back on television. Unless you don't have one you're probably watching too much.

4. Practice what you preach. Children imitate and they'll be more inclined to read when you are reading. Talk about and share the stories you are reading.

5. Don't force a child to finish a book. It's okay to discard, in the time it takes to plod through something they've lost interest in they could have read two others that they like.

6. Don't discourage children from following the text with their finger. They will stop this automatically as they gain confidence and experience.

7. Don't assume that everything in print, or award-winning, is worthwhile. Pick books that both the reader and listener will enjoy.

8. Don't force a taking turns policy where readers alternate reading different paragraphs. This can cause anxiety and break up the text's meaning for new readers. Let them decide how much they want to read and then follow along when you are reading.

9. Don't force your child to read every word. Adults gain much of their information by scanning and children can too.

10. Don't insist on certain books--though don't hesitate to censor inappropriate material--variety is best encouraged through availability and example.

11. Don't be concerned if your child is hung up on one book or one series. Subsequent readings are usually beneficial for deeper understanding.

12. Don't feel you must spend money on books for your child to enjoy reading. If you have a good library nearby, picking out a book can encourage a child's independence. Go through school book orders and see which are offered at your local library or through an inter-library loan system. Try local used books stores or on-line stores like Powells and Alibris.

13. Don't quit reading out loud once your child can read alone. They joy of a shared experience can be found at any age.

For further discussion on this subject I'd recommend the following:

* Erica at Littlemummy discovered a book with a year's worth of read aloud stories.

* 5 Minutes for Mom lists another online resource for teachers and parents teaching children to read.

* Valued Minds.com is a new site that lists books by content, theme and genre. A great place to search for new books for your children.

* Starfall is a new website with games designed to promote reading. I haven't reviewed it yet but if you're trying to wean off of computer games and into books, this might be a good tool.

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41 comments:

Unknown said...

Zoobooks and National Geographic Kids are so great that I have subscriptions to them. Excellent tips, by the way!

Anonymous said...

This is an excellent list! As a teacher and as a mommy (even though my son is 6 months old). We have books and magazines strewn about the house and a massive bag of library books at any given time (board books for our amusement as well as his). Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for encouraging reading. It's so important and something I love to do!

FRIDAY'S CHILD said...

Thanks for the continuation of the list of books.
My T13 is up too.

Anonymous said...

I have two beginner readers and am blessed to have five who love to be read to! This was a great list... I am off to read the first half!

masgblog said...

These could easily be ways to increase MY literacy, and I just might try some of these...I already know that the magazines work....

Try to stay warm there kiddo....spring will be here soon (it was nice here today) but there is weather on the way, and we'll probably be socked in with snow over the next few days.....cheers!

1morechapter said...

Excellent list. I always think it is sad when kids don't like to read.

I'm a Michelle, too.

http://3mbooklist.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bookawards

Blog said...

The monkey's only 19 months, and she LOVES magazines and books of all kinds! :)

Girlplustwo said...

This is perfect. Thank you. I was just thinking about this tonight w/ M.

And sister. You ARE a thinker. And your blog shows it.

Anonymous said...

I remember eagerly waiting for, and devouring, Highlights. Is that still published?

Unknown said...

What a great list! Our boys love books...we read to them every night. Happy TT!!

Anonymous said...

Another great Thursday Thirteen, Michelle. Both my kids love to read and sing, too!

Mine TT is on the thirteen reasons to keep a journal. Come on over and take a look around.

John Holland said...

When I was a kid my Dad read all the time. I can't remember a time when I wasn't reading. My parents were getting me books as early as possible. I feel sorry for kids that only want to watch tv and not read. They don't know what they're missing out on.

Creative-Type Dad said...

Great list!

I always keep books and art supplies around for my daughter. And the occasional video game to play with daddy...

Anonymous said...

My 18 mos old daughter is obsessed with "Gossie" - we read it to her all the time. Thanks for posting part two of your list. Very informative.

Anonymous said...

Just don't show them these:

http://www.richardpettinger.com/economics/funny_exam_answers


regards,

richard

(an economics teacher)

Anonymous said...

These are wonderful suggestions. Thank you.

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

I agree with all of this. My only argument is with scanning -- my son does more than enough of that and the careless errors are already setting in.

Happy TT!

Anonymous said...

#3, #5 and #7 work for adults as well as children. This is a great list.

Kelly Curtis said...

Really excellent post. Reading is a vital skill - for all subjects. And it's also one of the Developmental Assets, which help kids to resist risky behaviors.

Fantastic reminders for all of us. Thanks!

Unknown said...

thank you for sharing this. i am going to bookmark your blog. Reading for many parents I know seems to be a think of the past. Thank you for being it to the live consciusness...

We recently got a ton of book from the States at our Israel book library at the school I teach. I hope that this will prove to be an incentive. Thank you for all the reminders!

Unknown said...

I forgot to add that your tips have such a 'sensitive' and 'thoughtful' quality to them. Great! It is the connection that we as parents build with our children during the reding process. When I'm tired, I forget the importance of this connection..Thank you for the reminders.

thehotrodqueen said...

i used to subscribe to those mags for my kids. had lots and lots of books too. i am an avid reader yet my kids now that they are grown don't seem to enjoy reading as much as i do.

Joy Renee said...

some great tips for one of the greatest aims--instilling a love of reading in a child.

my TT is 13 things I am grateful for

Christie O. said...

what a wonderful list! i cannot tell you how important reading is in this house, and you're so right about the tv, we try to keep it off most of the day. happy tt!

Qtpies7 said...

Its amazing how much reading happens over here when the kids are grounded from electronics and going anywhere and there is a blizzard going on.

Robin said...

Bedtime stories are very big with our older child, and at nearly 3.5 our youngest is FINALLY starting to let me read to her. I couldn't be more thrilled.

Thank you for sharing these wonderful and encouraging tips.

JAM said...

Mom and Dad reading instead of watching TV will also encourage them to read. I didn't read much for pleasure as a young person, but my parents read literally hundreds of books every year. They would come home from the local paperback exchange with three paper grocery sacks full at a time. That might last two weeks or a month, tops. Eventually some of the titles interested me and I started reading a few, and haven't looked back.

Claire said...

I though this was a great list! I am a book monster and try to encourage my nephews to read more, i have found that they like fact over fiction at the moment. But they like me to read them Harry Potter and The Hobbit.

Anonymous said...

Excellent list.
I've given the children subscriptions to Zoo Books. Thaks for all the great information.

tracy m said...

Michelle- I just put lamps on each of my boys' beds today, per your suggestion, and it's such a hit, I can't get over it.

They both read for an hour tonight, BEFORE I went in to read a bedtime story. If you knew my boys, you would know what a miracle that is...! Thanks

Amy The Black said...

Great ideas. We enjoy books all the time, and will even stop dinner to look up a word in the dictionary.

Check out my TT, you're mentioned!

Anonymous said...

I am a firm believer in reading to my daughters. It teaches them to love books and makes for great quality family time.

Anonymous said...

Adore these lists ... always spot something I want to try (even if it is eventually!)

Stephanie Appleton said...

Another great list! My 8 yo old loves Nat Geo. Kids and the 4 yo old loves Starfall!

#13 is one I know is important but have a hard time getting done in the day! We used to do a family story in the evenings. Maybe we need to get back to that habit!

Chickadee said...

My mom encouraged reading. She would read to us and then we (or me) would read to her. She provided money for the book fairs and time to go to the library.

I credit her for my love of books today. And today, we often exchange books.

Alexandra said...

Good list! We buy many books at thrifts. It's amazing what you can find.

Agree with limiting the T.V...we have to limit here, of course all we have is very limited basic cable.

Anonymous said...

Great tips!

I have an article on my website that has links to dozens of free, online picture books. You may want to take a look or link to it. The url is:

http://homeschoolingjourney.com/online-picture-books-part-1/

Thanks

Bathsheba said...

Hi - please take a look at my blog of children's letters. I am very interested in literacy, but from a different angle - celebrating children's spontaneous writings and their natural literary expressiveness. Your blog is brilliant and I will include it in my link list.

Anonymous said...

I really like your great tips here. Many thanks Scribbit.


Rosari
Cityslicker Mom

Anonymous said...

Do you not find that allowing children to discard a book they've lost interest in builds some sort of...uh, whats the word...characteristic that'll lead to them not being able to finish things in the future? I'm not saying I think this is what'll happen, I"m just curious what you think about that.