Recently while driving with my teen-age daughter and her friend, I had the opportunity to listen in on their conversation, which included marriage. Much to my amazement, they both agreed that they wanted to start married life in a small one-room apartment as struggling students (much as their parents had) and build their life together. As they joked about thrift-store furniture and hand-me-downs, I added that they could use crates for bookshelves. “Bookshelves?” my daughter’s friend asked. “We won’t need those. I don’t read.”
Of course that got me thinking about reading and the pleasure I find in picking up a book. In such a media oriented culture, how do we cultivate the enjoyment of reading in our children? Three ways come immediately to mind.
One, be a reader yourself. Albert Schweitzer has said that the three best ways to teach someone are “by example, by example and by example.” Let our children see us reading and enjoying doing so. Talk about what you read and what you most enjoy about the book. One family I know makes regular trips to the library and bookstore to ensure that they have good reading material at home, especially since they like to read current best-sellers. Most evenings will find them all spending some time without the T.V. as they read their books.
Two, read stories aloud. This is obvious for young children as they are learning to read. My two-year old even brings me a book during the day, wanting to read with me. However, even older children will sit down when a good story is being read. One mother I know reads aloud to her teen-age children. She has found that if she starts reading to one of her children, inevitably others would congregate where she is to listen to the story, too.
Three, tie in other media with books you and your children are reading. Many books have been adapted to movies, some very well. Good examples for children are the recent Harry Potter books and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Others include The Black Stallion, Anne of Green Gables, The Indian in the Cupboard, Treasure Island, to name just a few. These are high-interest stories with beautiful language, and the movies are well done. Encourage your child to read the book, then watch the movie. Compare the two, identifying strengths and weaknesses in each.
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