How can I encourage my child to enjoy reading?

Learning to read is a matter of course for most children in the UK; learning to enjoy reading is something else entirely. But the two go hand in hand. Through encouragement and following good examples, children who read well can expect to do better in school, have a more rounded education and enjoy an imaginative resource that can provide pleasure, escapism and learning throughout their lives. It is something that David Teale, founder of My School Book Club, knows only too well. Via his affordable and accessible online book club, he's on a mission to get the next generation reading.

Here, David gives his top tips on how you can help:

CHOOSE THE RIGHT BOOK

It is often said: "It doesn't matter what they're reading, so long as they're reading something.' I think that that is totally wrong. Do any of us say: ‘It doesn't matter what they're eating, so long as they're getting something inside them?' Not often, I'm happy to say. And it should be the same with books. If the wrong books are read, with second-rate story-lines and poor illustrations, a child can be put off reading forever. But with a compelling and enjoyable story, told in language the child finds immediately accessible, the child's reaction to books can change overnight, and along with it, his or her attitude to school, parents, teachers and life.

GUIDE THEIR CHOICE

My School Book Club is designed in a way that makes choosing books as easy and accessible for kids as it is for parents and teachers. By encouraging your child to take an active role in choosing what to read and buy, it helps to create a sense of ownership and makes them more likely to enjoy the book. That said, it is important to guide their choice. You know the child best, but they don't necessarily know the right books.

DON'T LET YOUR CHILD'S LEARNING DIFFICULTY STOP THEM ENJOY READING

There is no excuse for a child with dyslexia or any other learning difficulty not to enjoy reading. A first for any book club, we've recently introduced a whole raft of books (about 25 to start with), especially written by the best authors for dyslexic and reluctant
readers. There are funny stories, haunting stories, stories written for children up to the age of 14-15, but with a reading age of 6-8 years, and much more.

DON'T STOP READING TO YOUR CHILD

Many parents stop reading to their child once they feel that he or she can read for themselves. I feel this is short-sighted. My wife read to our four children while they were in the bath and in bed until they were at least 10 or 11. Then, as she loved the stories so much, she continued reading to our youngest until she was 13 or 14. All went on to good universities and the last one got As and A*s at GCSE and A level, went on to get a first in English and History and is now a barrister in women's and children's rights. It wasn't entirely because of being read to, but it obviously did no harm! And the bond between
reader and child stays for the long term.

HELP YOUR CHILD TO INTERACT WITH THEIR BOOKS

My School Book Club has recently become much more interactive, with reviews from children, competitions, signed books and trips to see War Horse in the West End. There are video clips of authors and illustrators talking about their work, as well as previews of films, all of which help children to engage with reading on different levels. Meanwhile, web links with organisations and charities help parents and teachers to help children get the most out of reading.

READING IS THE KEY TO A BETTER SOCIETY

I really believe that you can get non-readers to read and reluctant readers to read more by getting the right book to the right child at the right time. Not an easy task but one that's made easier by bringing the right books to the person responsible for the child, at home and at school. At My School Book Club we have the right books, carefully selected and well-described so that you know exactly what you're buying, and at a price unequalled anywhere on the high street, in clubs or online.

Register with My School Book Club to get a website just for your school, absolutely free. Each month, this is filled with a fresh selection of hand-picked books for children up to the age of eleven at knock-down prices.

RELATED ARTICLES

* David Teale picks out his Top Ten Back to School Books
* My School Book Club reviewed

2nd September 09