If you can't seem to get your children interested in reading children's books or listening to stories, but your children do enjoy watching TV shows and movies, you might try these techniques to get them enthused about children's books and reading.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: 2 hours
Here's How:
- Check at the library or video store for videos or DVDs based on children's books.
- If your child enjoys the video/DVD, introduce him to the book.
- Read the book together, comparing and contrasting the book and the video/DVD.
- If your child seems intrigued by a particular character or animal (like the elephants in The Jungle Book movie), take her to the library and look for children's books about related subjects.
- Reinforce a favorite children's book with a video. For example, both the book "There's a Nightmare in My Closet" and the video are excellent.
- Take your children to see new children's movies that are based on children's books. Follow-up with the book.
- See if there are children's books related to your child's favorite TV shows. For example, you can find Blue's Clues, Barney, and Sesame Street books for younger children.
- Watch your child's television viewing habits to get ideas of her special interests (like sports, adventure, science) and find books related to them.
- Check your public television station for movies/shows based on children's books. There are some excellent ones, like Anne of Green Gables.
- If your older child is a reluctant reader but an enthusiastic fan, get him books about the popular young singers and actors he likes.
Tips:
- It's a good idea to preview the videos and read reviews of the movies before your child sees them.
- Ask other parents for suggestions of good videos, movies, and books.
- Libraries tend to have the best selection of videos based on children's literature.
What You Need:
- library card
- or money for rental/books
- children's videos
- children's movies
- related children's books
