Get tweens and teens to read

Research shows that teens who read for pleasure are more likely to succeed in life How do you then encourage your child to pick up a book and read in a time and age when the coolest thing is to be glued to their screens on social networks most of the time? We share tips to get your child reading.

Get them to read their favourite genre

It might not be viable to take your child to the library as we continue to fight the Corona virus. Instead of giving them money to buy whatever they like, get a voucher from a book shop and encourage your child to buy a book of their favourite genre. According to experts, by around age nine, children will have most likely developed a preference for books of a particular genre. Be it fantasy or adventure, science fiction or even comics, developing a preference for a particular type of story is a completely natural process – and is part of maturing as a reader.

Show them other materials

Expose your children to other genres and materials such as special-interest magazines, poems, comic books, autobiographies and newspapers – and stash them everywhere in the house, including the bathroom.

Make it engaging

Set aside time in the week when you all discuss the books that they are currently reading. Or, you can find out about what they are reading more informally by asking them what happened in a previous chapter as they settle down to continue reading their books. Showing your teenager or tween that you’re interested in their books and that you’re willing to spend time with them helps them create a positive association with books and reading.

Be a reading role model

You must lead by example. When children see you reading, they will be encouraged to do the same. When they regularly see you holding a book, they will see it as a positive influence and do this without you ever having to actually tell them this!

Encourage your child to start a book club

Give your teen or tween an idea of bringing her friends together and starting a virtual book club. Because we are encouraged to social distance at this point in time, ask your child to start a monthly book club with friends and they gather on  a WhatsApp video call or Zoom to discuss their favourite books and recommend books to each other. This is also a lovely catch-up with friends in a time where they have hardly seen their friends due to the Corona virus.