Adoptive Parenting, Child Parenting - More Tips for How to Get Kids to Read

04/27/07

More Tips for How to Get Kids to Read

Posted by : Theresa in Adoptive Parenting Blog at 05:38 pm , 401 words, 119 views
Categories: Reading

A previous blog discussed reading problems with adopted children and an article stating the prevalence of language delays.

What are some additional ways we can help our kids with reading?

Encourage any interest – for about any interest your child can have, an enthusiastic trip to the library for (matching) books is a great idea.

Visit bookstores. Even if not paying, get ideas for the books you’d like to check out at library. But, there is something about the touch and feel and smell of new books that gets me excited about more reading.

Join one of the monthly reading clubs where books are sent to your home regularly. Kids love to get mail and new things. My kids will usually read one of these books JUST BECAUSE it came in the mail for them, whereas they may have avoided the same book in other situations. (A caution to read all of the fine print on the requirements of any book club you are looking into. Some are NOT such a great deal if you figure what you’ve spent after all of the requirements are met. Also, ask around when considering the book club company. We have had AWFUL experience with one of them; after we did, I started asking around – too late – only to find that it was a common experience. Even so, SOME books and SOME clubs can be really rewarding for children.)

SPONSOR

Go on book “treasure hunts”. We visit resale shops in search of great new books. We mark the resale shop’s 50% off sale days on our calendars and make it an ‘even’.

On the transracial blog this week, Erin shared a great list of 10 books for transracial adoptees.

Use language building (including reading) computer games. If it’s a game, it must be fun. Right?

My kids like to type things on to the computer. They can type letters and stories of their own making. I encourage that kind of creativity. But, they also love to “play office” or “play magazine reporter” and take out articles or news stories from papers and magazines to re-type on a word processing program. This helps with a lot of writing and grammar skills, but also improves reading ability.

The good news is that for the majority of children adopted internationally these delays are remediable. Hopefully, with love and creativity, we can help our kids learn to love reading!

1 comment

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: Coley S. [Member]

· http://open.adoptionblogs.com

Good ideas! I love number 7... Something my Mom did for me when I was little and that I now do for Noah is to make books using construction paper, photos, and stickers. My versions nowadays are a bit fancier than my Mom's using the computer but that's how I learned to read and Noah loves reading home made books about himself.

Another great type of book that I love for Noah and Charlie are the Create-A-Books (http://www.jeniscreateabook.com/) that include the child and his/her friends names through out the story.

Great post! :)

Permalink 04/28/07 @ 00:09