When you have kids are you going to make them read?

newlndnfire · Post by **newlndnfire** » 18 Oct 2013, 22:12

Like many others have said, I don't want to MAKE them read, I want them to enjoy it and I want reading a good book to be something exciting for my children. I will definitely reward them for reading and really encourage them because I think it's such a great hobby and it really expands your mind and intelligence.

9bit · Post by **9bit** » 20 Oct 2013, 02:53

My plan is to facilitate the process as much as possible for them: have a lot of books in the house, have a good amount of age-appropriate books for them, read to them when they're young and try to instill a sense of wonder from the act of reading, take them to the library, telling them that reading is awesome, etc. At that point it's up to them I guess. My parents read to me, and I remember loving it.

It's becoming harder to get kids to read, though, it seems. Harder for a lot of adults, too. There is so much out there competing for your time and attention. And most of them are "easier" to do: watching TV or movies, browsing the internet... vivid images dancing in front of you is hard to compete with. I struggle with it myself.

Paliden · Post by **Paliden** » 20 Oct 2013, 12:14

I have three sons, (ages 8-4). I read to them every night. I also have quiet time (30 min-1 hr) before they go to bed when they sit in their beds and look at books. My oldest is just now starting to like reading to his younger brothers. I despaired of getting him to like books. Of course, he much prefers that I read to him. Still, at least he is getting an interest in them. I'm pretty sure my second-born will be a more proficient reader.

taykay08 · Post by **taykay08** » 20 Oct 2013, 13:36

mmenzel wrote:My children (now grown) have always seen me with a book in my hand. The are not really "readers" but they can read well and that is the key. Reading and comprehending what you have read is 99.9% of learning. So as long a children CAN read well, I would leave the "wanting to read" up to them.

I completely agree with this! I do not have kids of my own, but I think the important part is that they are ABLE to read and comprehend. For parents who want their children to enjoy reading, I think exposure to what you consider to be "good" or "exciting" reading material is a fine idea, but in the end, children will decide for themselves what they enjoy.

richieg1981 · Post by **richieg1981** » 21 Oct 2013, 08:37

The path i took with my kids was i read to them from a young age and always made sure they had access to books if they wanted thenm and let them make there own minds up thankfully my 3 eldest all seem to have caught the reading bug and my youngest loves me reading to him normally the gruffalo. I think kids should be encouraged to read but never made to

TrishaAnn92 · Post by **TrishaAnn92** » 22 Oct 2013, 15:48

I intend to. I have a 2 year old who just recently started showing an interest in books, she even "reads" to me now. And I have a 2 month old who I intend to try and get into reading as she gets older to. I have always loved reading and it would make me proud if they both enjoyed it as well. I know it's not something I can really force on them though, if they choose not to read outside of what they have to in school.

Shayna_reads · Post by **Shayna_reads** » 23 Oct 2013, 10:03

Absolutely. I can only hope that they'll love to read as much as I do. When my mother gave me my first book it changed my life. I love reading.

everafter09 · Post by **everafter09** » 26 Oct 2013, 17:01

I'm definitely going to encourage it. Doing it in some "sneaky" ways will help such as reading to them as young children, as they grow, making it a bonding thing and having them help to pick out new chapter books for us to read together before bedtime. Definitely going to limit computer time as they get older. Having a husband that works with computers and knows how to set up timers on computers will help keep track and limit their time on technology.

Dean Koontz · Post by **CinnamonB** » 27 Oct 2013, 17:18

I wont "make" them, but I will inspire them to understand how important it is to have the freedom to read. Provide them and encourage them the same way my mother did me. I'm sure they would grow into the likes of it, and hopefully they can branch further to becoming an author and spread their creativity with others.

DATo · Post by **DATo** » 27 Oct 2013, 17:31

I never wanted any kids so I don't have any. I always considered children nothing more than curly, dimpled lunatics. But if I did have kids I would make them read. Of course I'd do it in such a way that they would think it was their idea. I would be a very sneaky father.

Ikiri81 · Post by **Ikiri81** » 27 Oct 2013, 19:16

i love to read, so if i have a child I would read to them so they can see how amazing and wonderful reading is. Hopefully they will see it and start reading themselves, once they are old enough.

Smitha Nayak · Post by **Smitha Nayak** » 28 Oct 2013, 01:23

It's important for people to tell you what side they are on and why, and whether they might be biased. A declaration of members' interests, of a sort. So, I am going to be talking to you about reading. I'm going to tell you that libraries are important. I'm going to suggest that reading fiction, that reading for pleasure, is one of the most important things one can do. I'm going to make an impassioned plea for people to understand what libraries and librarians are, and to preserve both of these things........

shortyblue · Post by **shortyblue** » 28 Oct 2013, 03:27

I always read to my kids every night at bedtime and they loved it. When they learned to read, I started making them read to me everyday before I would read to them. They are both teenagers now and are avid readers. I have always believed that if you can read well and comprehend what you are reading, you can learn just about anything. Reading is a huge part of education, in my opinion.

Jenn+books · Post by **Jenn+books** » 28 Oct 2013, 05:08

It's not about making them read; it's about inspiring them to WANT to read. I do that by enjoying reading myself where they can see me, I read to them when they were little, and I make sure they have access to books they want to read as older children. I do think reading is a very important skill for kids, and the best case scenario is that they enjoy reading. There have been times when one of my kids didn't want to read beyond school stuff, and I didn't force the issue. Forcing only provokes rebellion.

azemora · Post by **azemora** » 28 Oct 2013, 12:18

When my brother and I were kids, I was the reader and he was not. He never finished a book unless he had to, and even that took an extensive amount of time and pressure. One day I read a book and thought he might like it if only he gave it a shot. He finished this book in 3 days, which for him was incredibly fast, and has read everything I've given him since then.

My kids are still very young and love being read to. I'm hoping that, as they get older, even if they lose interest in reading for a while, that the right book can bring it back. It would be no fun for either of us if reading was forced on them, but I do hope that they develop a love of it.