According to recent reports from the Common Sense Media, American children
are spending less time reading for pleasure than they were 30 years ago.
Looking at several national studies and databases, the report found that the
percentage of 9-year-olds children reading for pleasure once or more per week
dropped from 81% in 1984 to 76% in 2013. There were even larger decreases
for older children with those numbers dropping from 70% to 53% among
13-year-olds and 64% to 40% among 17-year-olds.
Reading is one of those things that actually improves kids' academic success in
all subjects. The ability to focus and have a distraction-free environment allows
kid's concentration to flourish.
Here are some tips to get your kids involve in reading:
1) Keep books in your home and visit the library with your kids
2) Set aside time to read with your kids and have your kids read to you.
3) Read yourself
4) Help kids connect. If you find a story that your child may relate to, encourage
them to read it.
5) Tie reading into movies - the Harry Potter series is a great start.
6) Encourage pocket reading - There are forms of reading beyond books that can
be of value.
