First, it's important to be sure that there aren't any physical, emotional, neurological, other medical conditions, or vision problems that might hamper reading. This should be diagnosed by professionals. Once these have been ruled out, you can move on to find reading strategies that are best for your child.
1. Choose topics that interest them. If children aren't interested in the subject matter, they aren't likely to be interested in reading about it.
3. Try audio books. A child can listen while holding a copy of the same book. He is able to both see and hear the words at the same time, and practice following along on the page. This can be done with higher than grade level material.
4. Choose a book that is below grade level. This will help to build confidence.
5. If your child is already familiar with electronic devices, interest your child in using electronic readers like Kindle, iPad, or others.
6. Take turns reading (even advanced books) out loud. His skills will improve as he listens to the way you read.
7. Have your child try reading to a child, a dog, a cat, a doll, or stuffed animal.
8. Look for high interest, low vocabulary books called Hi-Lo.
9. Get rid of distractions during reading, including the TV, music, or other noises. And make sure your child is in a comfortable place.
10. Above all, make reading fun.
If your child avoids reading - choosing video games, or the computer time over reading - consider using those activities as rewards. You can say, "After you've read for thirty minutes, or an hour," for example, "then you may spend time doing those other things."
A few articles are circulating on the Internet today that ask how gross we have to be, in our writing, in order to attract boy readers. I won’t quote the titles out of respect for the readers of this blog and children who might also be visiting it today.
In recent months, a number of books have been published that make use of toilet humor, gross words or situations, and certain sounds. Are dirty or questionable words funny? Of course they are. Are certain body parts, sounds, and functions funny? No question. But that is no excuse to use them in our writing, especially when children are the intended audience.
There are two kinds of comedians. One can tell a side-splitting joke, or set up a situation and deliver a line so funny that it hurts our stomachs and makes our eyes run, all without reaching down into the gutter. Others come out on the stage with crutches. Their crutches are nasty situations, dirty words, swearing, and a gross use of humor. Just because it’s funny is no excuse for us to say it or write it.
Our daughter teaches 2nd grade, in a public school, in the Orlando area. “Dad,” she’ll say, “you can not believe what these kids say to each other, to me, and to other teachers.” Where does this come from? Truth is, they see it on TV, listen to it in their music, hear it in their own homes or from friends, and read it in some of their books.
We can do better. And we owe it to them in the books they read.
The Internet articles I mentioned take the position that the more gross we can be in our writing, the more likely we are to attract boys back to reading. While the premise might be true, I reject the concept. Even though one might be able to point to skyrocketing sales figures, what is the long term effect going to be? Am I just a prude? Please! I spent two years in the army. I believe that the books our boys read don’t have to go in that direction.
Remember, readers are the leaders others follow.
Be sure to see this week's edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling that has been posted at http://www.raisingrealmen.com/2010/09/carnival-of-homeschooling-2/
See 6 reviews for Lost Island Smugglers on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Island-Smugglers-Elliot-Anderson/dp/1935600028%3FSubscriptionId%3D1QZMGW0RRJC2PX87HDR2%26tag%3Dsalranexp-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D1935600028
Author Web Site http://www.maxbooks.9k.com
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