Learning to LOVE Written Communication
Very few things could make a human “hate” reading and writing. Here’s a quick list of ways to counteract the natural human desire to communicate:
Ways to make a kid hate reading and writing
- Forcing them to read specific things that are not interesting
- Forcing them to read to a timer
- Reluctantly forcing yourself to read to them against your will every day
- Limiting the “approved reading material” in any way
- Making writing boring by insisting upon a letter-by-letter obsession with perfection (how many successful adults have perfect penmanship?)
- Making your own marks on the paper they were writing (the nerve…)
- Assigning arbitrary value to ANY form of written self-expression (accept it)
- Reading ANYTHING in a journal, unless you’ve been invited to read it
Ways to help a kid love reading and writing
- Read them the stories you loved as a child and let them share your passion
- Talk about the characters, the setting and how you felt about the story
- Allow them to choose whichever books they want you to read to them and read them
- Visit the library regularly and let them choose books
- Allow them to use the Internet for research and teach them how to find information online
- Type (or write) as they narrate stories or love letters.
- Print their words in a large font (so their eyes can focus on it) and let them illustrate their own story book or note to Grandma
- Have a “reading nook” in a quiet corner of the house. A throw blanket, a place to sit your cocoa mug and good lighting are essential
- Let them see you enjoying a book
- Write them a bedtime story, maybe about the day you met your spouse or something that happened when you were a child, or the day they were born
- Give books as gifts
- Keep books in the car
- Write them notes
- Send them cards
- Let them hold the grocery list and cross off items as you get them
This is just a few from the top of my head. I bet I could add a hundred more. What are some of your favorite ways to share a love of reading with your children?
from “Please do not read to your child for 20 minutes a day” (with permission)
