5 ways to get your kids interested in reading

This post is brought to you by Scholastic and the 20 for 20 reading challenge. We are sharing 5 ways to get your kids interested in reading.

I love reading. It is my break, what I do to relax, calm down or take a break during a busy day. My mother taught me to read at a very young age because she was a first grade teacher, and ever since I can remember, books have been a part of my life. Because I love reading so much, I knew that my kids would love it too. And they do – just not as much I want them too. I have spent a lot of time with them reading and over time they have really come to enjoy books, but it wasn’t always so easy. Getting your kids to read is very important, not because it is a life skill, but because it can help them learn and grow and discover “new places”. There are so many books, for all levels, so reading with your kids for 20 minutes a day will turn into something fun and exciting. I want to issue a 20 for 20 challenge to you. Scholastic is doing a 20 for 20 Family Reading Challenge which encourages you to read for 20 minutes a day for 20 days (or longer). They have a fun printable reading chart as well as other resources on their site here.

For those of you who are having a hard time motivating your kids to read, here are 5 ways to get your kids interested in reading:

Have a good selection of books to choose from (or take a trip to the library and let them pick their own books).
For reading time, have a fun, special treat that you can share
Take turns with your kids reading aloud. My kids love it when I read aloud to them and it is a great bonding experience.
Use the printable chart to track your reading and have a reward at the end like a movie night or picking out a new book at the store
Have a family reading time where everyone sits down together and reads. Be part of the reading group, reading with them and making it fun and enjoyable.

There are many other ways to get your kids interested in reading, but these are ways that have helped my kids.

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Experience how you can inspire your children, influence their behavior, and strengthen their bond with you.
Reading helps children understand their changing world and strengthens their creative thinking. But with so many distractions, many kids are reading less and reading less well. That’s why it’s imporant to practice reading; like any other skill, the more you read, the better you’ll read!
The 20 for 20 Family Reading Challenge was created for students to complete with either mom or dad or – even better – both! All you have to do is read together for at least 20 minutes a day for 20 days.
Take the pledge today and start reading!