How can I help them learn to love reading? (8 and 12)?

Question

I am a nanny for three kids, and 8yo and two 12yo's. They all seem to hate to read! I think it's because they're not very good at it (the 8 year old is still reading Disney counting books). We have started to read every night, but it's always a fight to get them to start, and they complain the whole time. What can I do to help them? I want them to 1) read better and 2) like to read. Any ideas? Thanks!

Answer 1

Look for this book at your local library, or buy a used copy at amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0517591642/24680e-20

It's called "Parents Who Love Reading, Kids Who Don't: How It Happens and What You Can Do About It." The author suggests that letting them read whatever appeals to them is the way to start...I'd suggest checking at your local library to see if they carry graphic novels (since they're so expensive!) For the younger one, they should have some lower level beginning readers on superheroes or princesses or dogs or whatever is a favorite interest -- just ask the librarian for help!

Answer 2

Help them to write and decorate a book. You can get large pieces of paper for them to write and draw on. Then you can bind the books by sewing them together with thick yarn or buying a binder for them. Have a celebration book reading night for them to read their stories to the family - and maybe even some family friends.

Maybe if they get positive response from this and understand more about stories, they'll get more into books.

Also, encourage them to act out the stories while you're reading so that they better understand the action.

Of course, the main step is going to be getting them readin better - which may take some special tutoring.

Good luck and I hope they find the joy many of us share

Answer 3

I'm an 8th grader, and I don't like reading because I'm forced to read, and I refuse to read anything that is uninteresting. I was worse as a 7th grader: I wouldn't even give any books a chance. Get a book, flip a few pages, nope, not wasting my time!

As a 6th grader, though, I loved books. I would go to the library with my reading list, select two or so books, and read them with pleasure. Even if they started out boring for the first 100 pages, I gave them a chance, and I ended up liking most of them.

Of course it is very important to read books you like, the ones that are interesting, especially for non-readers. If you got my 7th grade self, for instance, to read The Boxcar Children (as in those I read in 3rd grade) or Uncle Tom's Cabin, I wouldn't want to read, either. If their reading levels aren't high enough for harder books, get them easier books with better content. No 8 year old wants to read a book for 3-5 year olds!!!

In 3rd grade, I loved the Ramona Quimby books by Beverly Cleary, the Little House books (Laura iNgalls WIlder), and The Boxcar Children books by Gertrude Chandler Warner

In 7th grade, I don't remember finishing a book the second semester unless I was forced to read.

Answer 4

Good question!! I've got a 9 year old and an 11 year old that act like it's pulling teeth to get them to read. I do enforce it though.
I also let them pick books out and make a big deal out of going to the library each week.
It's also good for them to see how much my husband and I love to read. We've always got our noses in books and constantly tell the boys how much we love the stories we read.

Answer 5

As a recently retired elem teacher I have a few suggestions. First of all contact their teachers and find out what level they are reading at and if they have learning disabilities etc. Then, try Non-fiction with them, like stories about sports players they love or how things work. Reading aloud to them is marvelous, marvelous, marvelous, Yes, even adults usually loved to be Read loud to. This stimulates their minds and lets them realize they can travel anywhere in their minds. I taught 4th grade for years and there a zillion books. Work with the school librarian or the public librarian. Try ronald Dahl books, they are fun and great. Thanks for caring enough to ask. They might be like me and I hate to sit still long enough to read something unless it is like instructions on how to do something or a biography of somebody I want to know about. Something they want to do that takes reading !! instructions .......... cooking menus etc.

Answer 6

This is the single most important thing you can do to cultivate a love of learning. 1st you do need to MAKE the read. That said make sure they are made to read books that are first and foremost on or just barely beyond their level. Secondly let them choose books that interest them at the library. Be consistent. Have them read most everyday. Let them see you reading on your own. From there let them share with you about what they read that day and ask questions, that is important especially at first to keep them honest. Praise them.They will learn to love to read.

Answer 7

First of all set an example. Read a lot yourself. Modeling is one of the best ways to teach. I would shed a positive light on reading....make it more of a reward than a chore. Take them to the book store and letthem pick out the books that interest them. Finally, read a book as a family and talk about it.....choose one that it just above your children's reading level and read it to them. Finally, make reading charts and reward them for finishing books by letting them pick new ones.

I hope this helps.
I'm a certified reading specialist.

Answer 8

Take them to the Library and let them pick out books. But why aren't the Parents doing anything about this, the School will help out kids like this.

Answer 9

Give them a Harry Potter book (preferably first). Works everytime. Or you could give them a book of a subject/thing there interested in. Say one of them is interested in dragons. Give them a Hatching Magic book to read or maybe a Dragonology book. It should work.

Answer 10

For the 8-year-old, you can make up a short story that has them as the main character.