Tower and Town, February 2020

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On Getting Children To Read

I’m horribly aware that sleeping, eating and Persuading Children To Read all send parental anxiety rocketing up to 11 on the Comparison/Fretting scale. Reading is so important for developing vocabulary, general knowledge, empathy, memory, concentration and on and on…and yet, some children just don’t. Is it your fault? Is your child doomed to fail in life? Should you seek help?

Don’t panic. Although all the benefits listed above are real and important, many happy and intelligent people are not readers. Just because it’s ‘good for you’ doesn’t mean everyone will, or should do it, let alone enjoy it. Running around a muddy sports field is good for you after all, and I’ve resisted doing that all my (reasonably long and so far healthy) life. I am however, generally, on the side of books and reading, so if you are really concerned about a bibliophobic child, think about the following –

Do you read for pleasure? Just as with eating, example is all. ‘Do as I say, not as I do’ has never worked with any kid. Let them see you reading/eating broccoli as a natural and enjoyable way of spending time. Don’t get too hung up on what they read. Not everyone ‘gets’ stories, and less confident readers often prefer non-fiction, magazines or even comics. If it is fiction then it doesn’t have to be ‘good’ literature – I read some terrible trash when young (still do, in fact.) Think of all words as exercise for those reading muscles, building up stamina for more challenging texts. Do allow children to choose their own books, even if you have to grit your teeth over the selections. Don’t expect reluctant readers to become enthusiastic over the books you read and enjoyed when you were young, several hundred years ago. There’s a vast selection available now, ghost-written for ‘celeb’ authors, luridly jacketed or number umpty-hundred in a sensational series, and if that’s what they want to read it’ll do more good than a copy of The Children of the New Forest breeding dust mites.

As for reading ages, keen readers skip across the spectrum of ‘suitability’, and the less enthusiastic don’t need extra pressure. A ten-year old reading a book that’s supposed to be for a younger or older child is not a reason for particular pride or shame. The ability to read chunks of prose is a skill, the ability to understand and process what you read comes with wider life experience – ironically, the kind of experience that natural bookworms sometimes take longer to acquire. If you’re concerned about vocabulary, consider audio books, which make long journeys more bearable, are another way of increasing concentration levels and can cunningly get some of the ‘classics’ ticked off by stealth. And take time to read aloud to children, even when they are older, independent readers. It’s another way to move them along to texts they might not feel up to tackling alone.

Finally, remember reading hasn’t always been regarded as a Good Thing – only a few generations ago children who spent time indoors with their noses in books were chased out into the fresh air. Give it time and perhaps fashion will swing round again and your non-reader will become the child everyone wants to boast about!

You will note I haven’t actually recommended any books – no room, alas, and far, far too many to make a useful selection. If you want advice then always ask teachers and librarians, or, you know, your Friendly Local Bookshop…..

Debby Guest