As technology continues to advance, the more teenage reading, and reading culture amongst older children diminishes.
Teenagers are more immersed in their electronic gadgets such as laptops and phones. Reading is essential for your children as it nourishes the brain by developing intuitive skills and increasing knowledge on many subjects. As a teacher or parent, it is helpful for our teens if we can try to cultivate a reading culture amongst our kids and their friends. Here are some ideas of how to encourage teenage reading.
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Teenage reading with a family member can be enjoyed
If you want to instill a teenage reading culture, practice reading with them. The best way is to have reading material, whether a magazine, book, or newspaper, as they read theirs. Alternatively, read the same books they read and once you’re both through with the book, discuss it to see what each of you learned and how you understood it.
Let teens pick what to read
As a parent, you should be concerned with what your kids read. However, allow them to pick books or magazines that interest them. In the library, especially, give them time to explore books what they will want to read to the end. Teenagers also love technology, and you can use it to create ebooks. Make QR codes for the learners to access more reading materials.
Read tangible books, magazines, and newspapers
E-reading is easy and convenient, even for adults. However, you could be reading a lot of material daily, but your teens will never know. Consequently, they won’t understand the importance of reading if they don’t see you do it. To develop positive reading habits, read tangible materials. With printed versions of newspapers and magazines on current news, editorial content, and events, you will find that your kids leaf through them now and then.
Take them to the library
The library is an exceptional place to cultivate a reading culture in your teens. There are many free books to pick from on different topics that can spark your kid’s interest to read as much as possible. In the library, your kids will be motivated to read as more people are doing the same. If possible, get them a library membership to enable them to take books home and continue reading.
Create a teenage reading routine
Reading moments are part of our daily life, whether it’s grocery lists, recipes, or sitting down with a good book. As you look out for these moments, also ensure that your teenagers have a reading routine. Set some time before meals or bedtime for them to read. Designate a reading area for your teens, for example, in the study or next to a bookshelf. This way, they will have a special place that motivates, and gets them in a reading mood.
If your teenagers don’t fancy reading, it might be challenging to get them to read. Use strategies like taking them to the library, letting them pick what to read, reading together, and creating a reading routine. Inspire your kids to read during the holidays instead of spending time on their electronic devices by gifting them with tangible reading material.
You could even get them into reading by suggesting they tackle something other than books, perhaps comics or even a magazine reading challenge with a site like Readly might help?
We hope that this has inspired you to help with teenage reading – we do have a few other articles on the site focused on reading and litercy:
Literacy ideas on KiddyCharts
Here are some of the resources that we have on KiddyCharts to help improve kids literacy, including some writing prompts for them.
Easter writing worksheets and eBook
Worksheets with an Easter theme, including writing prompts and literacy ideas for your children.
Positive writing prompts for kids emotional development #31DaysOfLearning
Positive writing prompts to encourage good thoughts, as well as good literacy!
End of year journalling and writing prompts for kids
This is an excellent activity to help kids to look back on what has happened to them. You can adapt for other times of year, not just as an end of year activity.
Alternatively, there are lots of other great sites out there with ideas to improve, and instil a love of reading in kids.
15+ Reading Strategies for Unknown Words {Tips for Parents}
FREE Reading Tips Brochure - to Parents from Teachers
10 Ways to improve reading fluency
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Helen
Helen
Helen is a mum to two, social media consultant, and website editor; and this site is (we think) the only Social Enterprise parenting magazine!Since giving up being a business analyst when juggling travel, work and kids proved too complicated, she founded KiddyCharts so she could be with her kids, and use those grey cells at the same time.KiddyCharts has reach of over 1.1million across social and the site. The blog works with big family brands (including travel) to help promote their services, as well as offering free resources to parents of kids under 10.It gives 51%+ profits to Reverence for Life, who fund a number of important initiatives in Africa, including bringing running water and basic equipment to a school in Tanzania.Helen has worked as a digital marketing consultant (IDM qualified) with various organisations, including Channel Mum, Truprint, Talk to Mums, and Micro Scooters. She loves to be creative in the brand campaigns she works on.Get in touch TODAY!