The value of reading to children is undeniable. It should be
continued as long as possible. Below are some hints about how to keep reading
to your older children from The Five Minute Librarian.
1. Start a book that's above your child's reading level. This helps build vocabulary and comprehension. People learn words by hearing them in context and can understand at a level above what they can read.
2. Try
reading funny books, laughing is more fun together.
3. Have your
child pick out a special bedtime book and other books for during the day from
the library. If your child can't choose, have them read the first page of each
and then make their decision.
4. Try
reading short stories or fairy tales at night so there's no compulsion to read
the book the next day. This could be a collection
of Disney stories, Encyclopedia Brown Mysteries, or any other story
collection. Older kids (6th, 7th and 9th graders) who like scary stories
could even be introduced to Edgar Allen Poe's horror stories.
5. Listen to
audio books together in the car. We have added several audio
books on CD recently that are children's classics. Audio books can also be
downloaded from Overdrive to a phone. Many newer vehicles will connect books on
the phone to the car's sound system. There are many in the Kids and Teens
sections of our digital library that could start a good discussion with your
tween or teen.
The library also had a series of books called, "We Both
Read" that have alternating pages. One for a child to read, and the next
page for an adult to read. These books are designed for children from Preschool
to 4th grade.
If all else fails, you can
each grab your own book and read next to each other. Then, if you or your child
come across something fun or interesting, you can share it with each other. Parents who read tend to have kids who read.