Thursday 21 May 2015
How to Encourage Children to Read
Bob Docherty: 10 tips to encourage children to love reading
(From the NZ Book Council)
1. Read yourself. Have a variety of books in the home.
Reading begins in the home. If there are books in the home and adults are seen to read and value books then children will do the same. Don’t make it an ordeal. Reading is for pleasure and fun.
2. Read to your children.
Choose books that are more demanding than those they would read themselves. Use your adult voice as it gives reading respect and children will recognise this. Set a time each day that children remember and read them a variety of stories to discover what they like. Everybody loves to hear a story read aloud not just young children, so you can continue this with your children until they are at least Intermediate age. Give books as presents.
3. Set aside time for your children to talk about the books they are reading.
Children love to discuss what they are reading. And the techniques that teachers and writers use in the classroom can work just as well at home. A good first step is to know the stories and novels your children are reading. Children know when you are genuine. When discussing books with children, enthusiasm counts for a lot. If the children see you are enthusiastic then they will become enthusiastic too. These techniques can be used with children of all ages.
4. Look at blogs and websites that review children’s books and check out the library for inspiration.
Writers of children’s books are seriously good (and much better in my opinon than those writing for adults). Your local library and bookshops are other sources of expert opinion.
5. Encourage your children to read widely, not just one genre.
What children read – whether it is fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels or magazines – is not as important as the fact that they do read. However, it is good to encourage children to read widely and broaden their horizons.
6. Don’t skip YA fiction.
Book thiefFor the older reader, encourage them to try young adult fiction. This is often bypassed by teens who go straight to adult literature, which is a mistake in my opinion.
7. Encourage e-books and print books — both are great.
It is a matter of personal preference. E-books are the new technology and are able to store hundreds of books. Books can be downloaded and the thrill of this alone can attract a child to reading. Whether they read in print format or electronic doesn’t matter, as long as they are reading.
8. Never criticise your child’s reading material.
I never tell a child the book they are reading is rubbish or poor quality. All reading is valuable and the challenge is to encourage and lead them to better books.
9. Never give up.
Encourage and be enthusiastic about reading. Between the school years 7 to 10, many previously good readers might drift away from reading. It is a world-wide phenomenon and it worries educationalists and parents immensely. Cell phones, computer games and the whole online social media world engages children to the detriment of reading.
10. Remember reading is a great friend.
It is always for pleasure.
(From the NZ Book Council)
1. Read yourself. Have a variety of books in the home.
Reading begins in the home. If there are books in the home and adults are seen to read and value books then children will do the same. Don’t make it an ordeal. Reading is for pleasure and fun.
2. Read to your children.
Choose books that are more demanding than those they would read themselves. Use your adult voice as it gives reading respect and children will recognise this. Set a time each day that children remember and read them a variety of stories to discover what they like. Everybody loves to hear a story read aloud not just young children, so you can continue this with your children until they are at least Intermediate age. Give books as presents.
3. Set aside time for your children to talk about the books they are reading.
Children love to discuss what they are reading. And the techniques that teachers and writers use in the classroom can work just as well at home. A good first step is to know the stories and novels your children are reading. Children know when you are genuine. When discussing books with children, enthusiasm counts for a lot. If the children see you are enthusiastic then they will become enthusiastic too. These techniques can be used with children of all ages.
4. Look at blogs and websites that review children’s books and check out the library for inspiration.
Writers of children’s books are seriously good (and much better in my opinon than those writing for adults). Your local library and bookshops are other sources of expert opinion.
5. Encourage your children to read widely, not just one genre.
What children read – whether it is fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels or magazines – is not as important as the fact that they do read. However, it is good to encourage children to read widely and broaden their horizons.
6. Don’t skip YA fiction.
Book thiefFor the older reader, encourage them to try young adult fiction. This is often bypassed by teens who go straight to adult literature, which is a mistake in my opinion.
7. Encourage e-books and print books — both are great.
It is a matter of personal preference. E-books are the new technology and are able to store hundreds of books. Books can be downloaded and the thrill of this alone can attract a child to reading. Whether they read in print format or electronic doesn’t matter, as long as they are reading.
8. Never criticise your child’s reading material.
I never tell a child the book they are reading is rubbish or poor quality. All reading is valuable and the challenge is to encourage and lead them to better books.
9. Never give up.
Encourage and be enthusiastic about reading. Between the school years 7 to 10, many previously good readers might drift away from reading. It is a world-wide phenomenon and it worries educationalists and parents immensely. Cell phones, computer games and the whole online social media world engages children to the detriment of reading.
10. Remember reading is a great friend.
It is always for pleasure.
Sunday 14 September 2014
Parent Portal
The Ministry of Education have created a parent portal with practical information for parents.
http://www.parents.education.govt.nz
http://www.parents.education.govt.nz
Ten Read-Aloud Commandments
Here is a great guide to reading to your child.
http://memfox.com/for-parents/for-parents-ten-read-aloud-commandments/
http://memfox.com/for-parents/for-parents-ten-read-aloud-commandments/
Maths
This an excellent link to a website used by teachers, called nzmaths.
However, the family page gives good advice on how you can support your child in maths at home.
It also helps explain the programme teachers are using.
http://www.nzmaths.co.nz/families
However, the family page gives good advice on how you can support your child in maths at home.
It also helps explain the programme teachers are using.
http://www.nzmaths.co.nz/families
Sunday 24 August 2014
Current Events
This is a lovely website for New Zealand children of primary school age. It features current events as well as other activities that are easy for children to read. Four or five new stories are put onto the website per day.
Click here:
http://www.kiwikidsnews.co.nz
Click here:
http://www.kiwikidsnews.co.nz
Wednesday 7 May 2014
What 3 to 7 year olds need to learn - Nathan Mikaere-Wallis
Nathan Mikaere-Wallis has been a lecturer at the Christchurch College of Education, lecturing in human development, brain development, language and communication and risk and resilience. He has visited Wellington and spoken to parent groups at Tawa College.
In this podcast he talks about what parents need to do with their 3 - 7 year old in order for them to succeed as learner in later life. Some of his ideas may surprise you.
Click on this link to hear his interview with Katherine Ryan on Radio NZ National:
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