We all want our kids to be readers.
Not just kids who can read, but kids who actually do read. Who then grow up and keep choosing to read because they want to, not because they have to.
But there’s a curious thing that those of us who care deeply about raising lifelong readers tend to do, which is to treat our kids’ reading lives in exactly the opposite way that adult readers actually read.
We choose all their books. We tell them how long to read for. We ask them questions to prove to us that they read and understood the story. We make them write essays to prove their comprehension even further. And somehow, we expect that when no one is making them do any of this anymore, they’ll choose to pick up a book for the joy of it.
So today, I want us to think about this differently. Instead of asking, “How do I get my kids to read,” let’s ask the question, “What do real, lifelong readers actually do?”
Then give our kids more chances to do those things.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:
Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/lifelong-readers