For the Love of Books and Reading

What starts a child wanting to read? Is it the enthusiasm of the parent or teacher? Is it the books that fill their room? Listening to an adult read aloud a most beloved story over and over? I asked many students what got them into books over my many years of teaching and they had these answers and many more. However, the one answer I heard the most was "finding one I like". Sounds so easy, but in my world with so many books it sometimes seems an overwhelming problem that there will never be an answer. I usually start with "What do you like to do in your spare time?"  "What kind of TV shows do you like?"  "Do you like to solve puzzles or hear about books that make you laugh?" " Do you have a pet?" Before long the student gets to talking to me and finding a book on the many library shelves isn't near as difficult.

My two year old grandson, loves books. Jaxon loves to watch Curious George so that is one book we always know he'll like. Riding on  tractors, trucks, and using tools are things he does with daddy so we  find books that make those machinery sounds. Animals are a huge love of his, so there are many non-fiction books on his bookshelf. Little ones are so fun to share the love of books with and they love doing something with the adult in their life. They'll also use books to make buildings, fences, and put them on their head. But through this interactive play they are learning that books are fun!!! By having someone read to them they are learning that books are special and another way people bond with each other. Soon you'll see them reading to their pets, stuffed toys, even to parents.

My son only cared to have non-fiction books read to him as a little one. He'd even listen to his dad read Outdoor Life or a farm magazine. We wore out the book Puppies and he still has the second one we bought him to this day. He wouldn't listen to Dr. Seuss, nursery rhymes and Mother Goose, but would sit all day with a Pictionary. When he started school he found the Bernstein Bears series and  later loved Where the Red Fern Grows, which still is on his bedroom shelf. When he found Gary Paulsen's books he knew outdoor books were for him. He still enjoys those kinds of literature.

Encouraging the love of books can be started with children at any age. Let them see you reading books for enjoyment, or how to build something, to cook, or learn to knit, play a video game, to hook up a television or to find something on the internet. Before you know it your child will be reading to learn and not just reading for fun, and isn't that what we really want?