Can You Judge a Book by Its Cover?

Reading is important to every child's development. We take time to read to our children when they are little, but we often pay less attention to our children's reading as they grow older.

Children move quickly from the "Dick and Jane" kind of reading to teen and young adult books and magazines. These more mature reading choices may introduce subjects like drugs and sex in ways that may not meet with your approval. You want to encourage your child's curiosity but you still want to counter these negative influences. If you are aware of your child's reading choices; you can reinforce the values you prefer for her.

From the time your child is very young, you can begin to establish habits that will help him make wise reading choices at every age:

• Introduce your child to good literature at an early age.
• Read to your child from books that are above her own reading level—she can understand far more than she can read.
• Take your child to the library and help him choose books on subjects he enjoys.
• Turn dinner conversation into a "book-of-the-week/month" discussion. Talk about a book your child is reading or has just read; ask questions and encourage an exchange of ideas.
• Your daily newspaper is a great resource for emphasizing the importance of reading to acquire credible information. There is something in the newspaper for a child of any age. Use topics from the comics to the editorial page for discussion and learning.
• Steer your older child toward making better reading choices by giving her subscriptions to magazines for birthday and holiday presents that cover her favorite sports and interests.

What Is Your Child Reading at School?

Besides knowing what your child buys at the bookstore, it is very important to know what is on your child's reading list at school. This information will help you be more involved in your child's education. You may be surprised to learn that many schools welcome and encourage parents' involvement in making reading list choices for their children.¹ The following suggestions can help you become involved in your child's reading at school:

• Join a committee, such as a parent advisory committee, that makes or influences decisions about school issues and problems.
• If you have a young child in the school system, arrange classroom visits during reading sessions or become a volunteer to help in the classroom as an assistant, listening to children read.
• Take advantage of parent-teacher agreements that require you to read with your child for a certain amount of time each night.
• Stay connected with other parents—it can help to know what other parents' views are about issues.

What About Your Reading Habits?

Parents and other caring adults are the first and most important teachers in their children's lives. As a parent, you can influence your child's behavior more by what you do than by what you say. Be a good role model to your child. Read the kinds of books that you want your child to be reading.

By emphasizing the value of choosing good reading materials by your own choices, you model that behavior to your children. A child growing up seeing such behavior will make similar sensible choices for himself.

Caring Adults Make the Difference!

In every aspect of daily life, adults who are active participants in children's lives help to increase children's sense of belonging, build their self-esteem, and prepare them for a brighter future.

Source

¹U.S. Department of Education, ERIC Clearinghouse on Educational Management: How Can I Be Involved in My Child's Education? last referenced 5/2/2003.

• 15+ Make Time To Listen, Take Time To Talk: Listening Dads are Champs
• American Library Association's Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Booklists and Book Awards
• U.S. Department of Education: Helping Your Child Series