For Parents: Encouraging a Love of Reading in Middle School
How do I help my child improve their reading?
Helping your middle school student become a better reader involves both fostering a love for reading and providing opportunities for skill development. Here are some strategies you can try:
Encourage Reading for Pleasure: Provide access to a variety of books and genres that align with your student's interests. Let them choose what they want to read, whether it's fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, or magazines.
Lead by Example: Let your child see you reading regularly. Talk about the books you like to read, your reading habits, and how you make time for reading. What was your favorite book in middle school? If you can't make time to read, how will your child manage it?
Discuss What They're Reading: Engage your middle schooler in conversations about the books they're reading. Ask open-ended questions about the plot, characters, themes, and their opinions on the book. This helps develop their comprehension skills and critical thinking. Work in some opportunities to summarize, predict and make connections to enhance comprehension skills.
Set Aside Daily Reading Time: Establish a routine of daily reading time where your student can read independently. Make it a quiet, comfortable environment free from distractions.
Visit the Public Library together: Take regular trips to the library and allow your student to explore different sections. Librarians can also recommend books based on your student's interests and reading level.
Expand Vocabulary: Encourage your student to look up unfamiliar words and discuss their meanings. You can also introduce vocabulary-building activities such as word games and puzzles.
Encourage Your Child to Visit the School Library: As an expert in books for middle school students, I can introduce your student to new authors, genres, and series they may not have discovered otherwise.
Reach out to Your Child's School Librarian - I am happy to make recommendations based on your child's interests and reading ability. Feel free to email me at [email protected].
Helping your middle school student become a better reader involves both fostering a love for reading and providing opportunities for skill development. Here are some strategies you can try:
Encourage Reading for Pleasure: Provide access to a variety of books and genres that align with your student's interests. Let them choose what they want to read, whether it's fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, or magazines.
Lead by Example: Let your child see you reading regularly. Talk about the books you like to read, your reading habits, and how you make time for reading. What was your favorite book in middle school? If you can't make time to read, how will your child manage it?
Discuss What They're Reading: Engage your middle schooler in conversations about the books they're reading. Ask open-ended questions about the plot, characters, themes, and their opinions on the book. This helps develop their comprehension skills and critical thinking. Work in some opportunities to summarize, predict and make connections to enhance comprehension skills.
Set Aside Daily Reading Time: Establish a routine of daily reading time where your student can read independently. Make it a quiet, comfortable environment free from distractions.
Visit the Public Library together: Take regular trips to the library and allow your student to explore different sections. Librarians can also recommend books based on your student's interests and reading level.
Expand Vocabulary: Encourage your student to look up unfamiliar words and discuss their meanings. You can also introduce vocabulary-building activities such as word games and puzzles.
Encourage Your Child to Visit the School Library: As an expert in books for middle school students, I can introduce your student to new authors, genres, and series they may not have discovered otherwise.
Reach out to Your Child's School Librarian - I am happy to make recommendations based on your child's interests and reading ability. Feel free to email me at [email protected].