Face it, in today’s world of advanced technology, reading has all but become extinct. Sure, your teenager will read a book if it is “required” that they do so, but when was the last time you actually saw your teen pick up a book and read for entertainment?
With all of the electronics available today it’s no wonder that good old-fashioned reading has fallen by the wayside. In “25 Things I Learned From Opening A Bookstore”, the art of lost reading is looked at in a lighthearted manner by the author, but shows just how far our society has fallen when it comes to reading a good book.
If we as parents and educators want our teenagers to read then there are a few tips to make it interesting that need to be followed:
Make the reading material interesting to your teen. There are many authors such as J.K Rowling and Stephanie Meyers, who have made an impression on the young adult scene, and many adult writers have moved into the young adult genre as well. The key is to choose books that your teen will be interested in, not books that you would like. Teenagers are their own people; they may not want to read the same things that you do.
I cannot stress the importance of letting them see you read. It’s not enough to tell your teen how important it is to read; you need to lead by example. Try setting a time everyday for family reading; just one hour will make more of a difference than you think. You don’t have to read the same book or read aloud; just sit and read as a family. Reading is great for quiet time and for getting your teen interested in something besides TV and computers.
Teenagers love to interact with other kids their own age; sign your teen up for a teen book club. Chances are that the kids in these book clubs are avid readers and positive role models as well. Every now and then ask your kid about the book they are reading, discuss it with them, and discuss a book you are reading as well. You’ll be surprised at how excited you can both get about a good book.
There are many tips out there to help you get your teenager to develop a love for books. The statistics in Ransom Riggs “Who Reads Books?” are sad. Don’t let your teenager become one of these statistics; encourage them to read!