How To Encourage Your Child to Read

How can you encourage your child, whether a beginning reader or a reluctant reader, to read children's books on a regular basis? Here are some ideas that may help.

1. Make a habit of reading to your child every day, whether she is a one-year-old or a 10-year-old.
2. When your child is able to, have her read to you. You can take turns reading chapters in a simple chapter book, for example.
3. Get a library card for your child. Go to the library every week and take out several books.
4. Be aware of your child's interests and direct your child to related books.
5. Try to find a series that she really likes and will want to continue reading.
6. Provide a comfortable reading area, with good lighting, in your home.
7. Discuss books with your child.
8. Buy books for your child that are related to her special interests.
9. If your child is a reluctant reader and not reading on grade level, buy her hi/lo books (books with a high interest level, low vocabulary).
10. Talk to your child's teacher and ask for suggestions.
11. If your child likes incentives and the computer, enroll in an online book group.
12. If your child really enjoys a particular author, check with your librarian about other authors or books she might enjoy.
13. Children also often enjoy the opportunity to read children's magazines.

What does a Children's Librarian do?

Children's librarians select materials for the library's children's department, but they also do much more. They are responsible for planning a variety of programs and activities for young library patrons as well. They must conduct outreach, promote upcoming programs, help with reference questions, and create innovative book displays.

A librarian who works with children must be well-versed in children's literature — from toddler books to young adult novels. She should regularly peruse children's literature journals such as The Horn Book and School Library Journal. These journals contain extensive reviews of books currently available for young people. By studying these journals, she can make wise decisions on which books and materials should be included in the children's and young adult sections of the library.

A children's librarian must also plan programs for a wide range of ages. Many libraries can only afford to hire one librarian to work in youth services. Therefore, a children's librarian finds himself planning a preschool story time one moment and a teen program the next. Later in the day, he may lead a book club for school age children. It's important that he relate well to kids of all ages and executes programs they will enjoy. He must also plan crafts for the activities in the library. This involves making prototypes so that kids will have a model to follow when making their own art projects.

Choosing books for 3-7 year olds

Greta Paterson, expert children's librarian, explain ypu how to choose proper book for your kid:

1- Enjoy: Choose books you think your child will enjoy, or better still, let them choose themselves. Children who enjoy books are far more likely to keep reading. Remember they don’t have to finish a book if they discover they don’t like it and never make them read a book just because you think they ought to. Reading should be fun.


2- Interests: Some children will love scary stories, others prefer funny stories and many love to follow a series or favourite author. Some children, particularly boys, may prefer factual books. Children who struggle with reading may prefer comic books or short stories. Babies and toddlers will love bright colours, repetition of words or rhymes, or books that invite you to touch, scrunch and prod!

3- Age: Babies and toddlers will love board books and picture books, beginner readers like short stories with pictures and children around the age of 7+ will be ready for short chapter books. Some books have age guidelines on the back but remember that is just what they are, guidelines. They may be too easy for good readers or too hard for children who struggle. Either way it could put them off reading.

4- Ability: Are the words used appropriate for your child’s reading ability? Many teachers advise that if there are more than five hard words on a sample page in early reading books, the book is too difficult. It’s not a good idea to push your child to read books they are not ready for yet. That could put them off reading for good.

5- Favorite authors and series: If your child has a favourite author or is addicted to a series of books then choosing is easy but what happens when they have read them all? Your local children’s librarian or bookseller will be able to suggest similar books or you can try some of the suggested websites below.

6- Look at the book:Does the cover make you want to pick it up? Does the blurb make you want to read it? Is the print clear and well spaced on the page? Are the pictures bright and colourful? Is the story easy to read aloud? Try reading a page at random to see if you like the style. Try reading it aloud if you are choosing a bedtime story.

7- Book reviews: Newspapers and magazines sometimes have reviews of children’s books and there are specialist children’s book magazines which are listed in the websites below. Online booksellers like Amazon will have reviews and publishers’ websites are a good source for what’s new.

8- Book groups: Your local library, school or bookseller may have a children’s book group like Chatterbooks, where children can come together to talk about books and try new things. There may be a local Children’s Book Group in your area where you can meet people like authors, publishers and teachers who are interested in children’s books. You can find out from the Federation of Children’s Book Groups.

9- Recommendations: Talk to other parents, children and teachers or ask your local bookseller or librarian.

10- Libraries: It’s great to own books and have lots of books around the house but it can get expensive. If you join the library you can try out lots of different books free of charge or attend a storytime session. There may be displays or book lists to help you to choose and every year most libraries run the Summer Reading Challenge, a fun promotion with lots of rewards to keep children reading in the summer holidays.