Every generation of parents faces this question: How can a child be encouraged to read? In our super-technological time, books no longer compete with TV as much as with gadgets, and it is not easy to win at them. Children who have books at home, with which parents go to libraries, or download books from Zlib, are still easier to encourage to read because they know that a book is not just a school textbook or something boring that needs to be read for a lesson. It is an exciting world of adventures, travels, fantasies, and jokes.
But there are many families where people do not read at all. How is a child supposed to learn that a book is something interesting? Who should show children this fantastic world?
Librarians come to preschools
A librarian comes to preschools for 3- and 4-year-olds twice a month. Librarians usually choose something interactive so that children are also involved – jumping, screaming, imitating animal sounds, being surprised by the characters’ strange questions. Children can choose one of the books brought by the librarian and take it home for two weeks.
This moment – independent choice – is very important. It is not parents or teachers who choose what to read for you, but you.
Children are already learning to read or are reading at school, so the attention to independent reading is much greater. The younger grades have a lesson every week, which is called “Library”. Children go to the library, where either the librarian reads something to them, or they make something thematic based on a book for the nearest holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, etc.), or watch book trailers or interviews with writers. And, of course, they choose books for themselves. Again, by themselves. The only limitation is the reading level. If a child can master a picture book, they won’t be given a more difficult chapter book. If they return the books in a week, they can choose the next two. Usually, a first-grader takes one non-fiction book and one fiction or funny picture book.
Libraries in classrooms
In addition to the school library, each classroom has its own library, from which children take books for daily “free reading,” when everyone sits and reads their own book. Some books are about robots, some are about football players, and some are about dragons and unicorns. You can find reading for every taste and interest.
Where do the books in the classroom library come from? Some are ordered by the teachers themselves (they have a certain budget for the year for each class, although teachers often use their own money to buy something for the next year at a discount after the holidays- for Christmas, for Easter, etc.), and some come with orders through the book club.
Book fairs in schools
Twice a year — in the fall and spring — book fairs are held in schools. Each class has its own time when they go to view, choose, and buy books in an organized manner. For that, they prepare carefully: they watch book trailers and catalogs and make their lists. Those lists are shown to parents, and parents decide whether to give money and how much.
Books that encourage children to read should be simple and fun, not overloaded with complex structures and teachings. The main thing is that they bring pleasure to children and put them in a good mood. If children love reading, then later, they will also read more diverse literature.