Encouraging a Love of Reading
“What we teach children to love and desire will always outweigh what we teach them to do.”
Educator and author Jim Trelease believes that teachers and parents should foster in children a life-long love of reading. However, research has shown that this is not happening. As children advance through grade levels, the amount of time they read for pleasure declines drastically. This steep drop in reading volume can also influence how well students do in school, as there is a direct relationship between reading volume and achievement.
Reading offers children endless promises and possibilities. Reading can pique readers’ curiosity and sense of wonderment as they learn new information and ask questions; or, it can be a way for them to use their imagination and escape into an engaging story with characters that become familiar friends and whose circumstances and relationships can evoke powerful emotions. Books can also affirm children’s cultures and personal identities and expand their understanding of other people.
Fortunately, there are many effective ways parents and educators can “motivate” or “move” students to pick up a book and read (even when it is not pleasurable or easy). Today’s blog post is the first in a series of posts that will focus on motivational practices related to readers’ interest, confidence and dedication. All motivational practices should be affirming and supportive allowing readers to feel safe, valued and capable.