How to Encourage a Love of Reading in Your Homeschooler

How to Encourage a Love of Reading in Your Homeschooler

The love of reading is a powerful force: it promotes lifelong learning, it prevents boredom, it expands the mind, it stirs the imagination, and it battles ignorance. In a digital age of multimedia and interaction on every side, how do you encourage your homeschooler to love reading? In this article we are going to look at some practical ways of achieving this.

First, don’t discourage them from reading books you don’t feel are intellectual enough. Many parents use to discourage their children from reading series such as Nancy Drew or The Hardy Boys, yet in the long run these books didn’t do any harm. By discouraging your child from reading what they love, you can plant seeds or rebellion and hostility that may take the form of refusing to read at all.

Second, introduce them to the exciting world of the public library. Teach them how to look up books on subjects that they are curious about, or studying in their lessons. Encourage them to ask the librarians for help. Take them to library on a weekly basis if at all possible, and allow them the time they need to browse the aisles and search for that one book that seems to call out to them. Make this a fun time, and don’t hover over their shoulder the whole time. Once they’ve learned how to look things up and ask for help, let them be free to explore.

Encourage them to read beyond their textbooks. If they encounter or story or an excerpt from their literature book that they enjoy, encourage them to read the entire book. Help them find a copy at the library, or track down an inexpensive copy for them. If they run across a scientist, historical figure, or artist that they are interested in, help them find a biography of that person. This can not only help them with their studies, but will cause them to see that reading isn’t a chore, but a chance to learn more about things they are curious about.

One way to get your children interested in reading is to embrace the age of technology rather than reject it. By that, we mean that should introduce them to the world of digital books. There are many books that you can purchase, and even borrow, for reasonable prices. It might just be that the novelty of reading a book on their smart device might just overcome any reluctance they feel toward reading.

Finally, set a good example for them. If you want a child that loves to read, then consider how much time you spend reading. Your example speaks volumes to them.

A love of reading is a wonderful passion to encourage in your homeschooler. Encourage them to read, introduce them to the library and its powerful tools, and get them into the practice of reading beyond their textbooks. Encourage them to read on their smart devices. Most of all, however, set a good example for them. Let your kids see you reading, and they will likely follow your example.

For 15 years Mimi Rothschild has been privileged to help hundreds of thousands of homeschoolers educate their children at home. The MorningStar Academy is a private online Christian school offering diplomas and teachers. The Jubilee Academy is an online Christian curriculum provider offering over 150 full year online Christian courses for PreK-12.