Shortly after I started blogging over two years ago, I stumbled upon Jen Robinson’s Book Page. I enjoyed reading about children’s books, and through her blog, I was able to dip a toe into the “kidlitosphere” blogging community.
Other commitments caused me to lose touch for the most part, but I can still never go more than a few weeks without checking in to read one of Jen’s weekly Children’s Literacy Round-Up posts, or a check out her reviews to find a children’s book that she said adults would love as well, or a recommendation for Amanda to read.
When I began this column, I knew that I wanted to hear Jen’s thoughts “On Reading.” She revised a post that is one of the hallmarks of her site to appear here. I’m proud to introduce you to her here and now:
One day, not long after I started my blog back in 2005, I received a comment from a parent asking if I thought that his daughter would like a particular book. I had not read the book in question, but I told the parent that I thought that he should read the book with his daughter. And this got me thinking about all of the benefits that can come from parents reading the books that their children read.
I’ve always been a proponent of the reading of children’s books by adults (see my earlier article about this: Why You Should Read Children’s Books as an Adult). I think that there are many good reasons why adults should be giving children’s books a second (or third, or fourth) look. But I think that for parents, reading the books that your children read can have particularly large benefits, as follows.
- If you read the books that your children read (either by reading aloud with them, or just by quietly each reading on your own), you’ll have a much better idea of what your children like, and what each child’s reading level is. This will help you to pick out other books for them, and they’ll be the right books. Your child will also be able to tackle slightly more difficult books than he or she would otherwise, because of having you there as a backup.
- If you read the books that your children read, the books will naturally lead to discussions about things that are going on in your kids’ own lives. This is especially true if you read aloud with your kids even after they are old enough to read on their own. For example, you could ask “What do you think about the fact that Simone doesn’t smoke pot, even though her friends do?” or “Would you want to the surgery to be Pretty, if you knew that it would make you look like everyone else, or would you rather be unique?” (bonus points for anyone who recognizes these references). I’m not saying that you should force these discussions, by any means, but it seems to me that the books could open certain conversational doors, if you let them.
- Reading the books that your children read sends a clear message to your kids that what they read is important to you. This tells them that
a) they are important to you, and
b) that you value books and reading.So, you get to make your child feel justly cherished, and you get to validate the importance of books. And I can’t emphasize enough how important this last point is. Even if your child is a bookworm at age eight, there are many pressures to stop reading as he gets older. Surely parental reinforcement, putting your money where your mouth is, time-wise, can help to prevent this. And there are many reasons why it’s good for your child to continue as a bookworm (increased vocabulary, improved math skills, exposure to classic literature, increased confidence, etc.).
If your child is a serious bookworm, you probably won’t be able to find the time to read ALL of the books that she reads. But you’ll know which ones are important, which ones are favorites, and you can focus on those. I have a friend who, in reading with her now 13-year-old daughter, has had great success with this approach. I’ve learned a lot from them, and I’ve discovered many wonderful books through their shared reading experience.
So give it a try. Read the books that your children read. The potential rewards– closeness, reinforcement of the value of reading, and improved communication– are well worth the effort. And you get to enjoy reading some great kids’ books at the same time. What a win-win proposition!
One final note: although I have addressed this article towards parents, the same idea applies to anyone who works with, or has a relationship with, kids: teachers, librarians, aunts, uncles, grandparents. I would think that it would work for anyone who has an interest in kids, and who wants them to keep reading as they get older. Read what the kids read. Then talk with them about the books. The rewards are endless!
This article was originally published on Jen Robinson’s Book Page and is reprinted here with permission, with minor changes.
Have you made it a practice to keep reading with your independently reading child? If not, do you want to commit to do something together in these last weeks of summer? Perhaps you and your child could pick out a Children’s Classic to read and post about it in our new monthly carnival.
Thanks so much for wanting to reprint this post, Jennifer! And I love your idea of encouraging parents to read with their kids during these last few weeks of summer.
Great post! Thanks for the reminder that a “family book club” has as much value as a grown-up book club does.
I love this post! Although I can’t read every book my son reads, I do try to keep up. You are so right that books can open the doors for conversations about important life issues. And, sometimes the books are just plain fun!
Thanks for the wonderful reminder!
As a Language Arts teacher I would always try to keep up on Children’s Literature. I made a point to read a lot of the books that my students were reading. I wanted to be able to talk with them about what they were reading. A lot of the parents of the 6th grade students would read along with their children.
My oldest is almost 5 and we love to read together. Our new favorite are chapter books where we take time to predict, question things, and discuss what is happening. I hope to be able to continue reading “with” him even when he is reading on his own.
Fabulous pointer for all parents 🙂
Thanks, stephaniesmommybrain. Personally, I think that a family book club has even more value than an adult book club, because if you encourage your kids to love books, you’re giving them a gift that will last a lifetime.
And Lauren, I think it’s great that you’re reading some of the books that your son reads. And I’m glad that it’s been both door-opening and fun for you! I’m sure it’s great for your son, too.
AngelForever, I love hearing from teachers who make the effort to read the books that their students read. I think it can make a big difference, in terms of the teacher’s credibility in making recommendations. And now, it sounds like your son is the one who is benefiting from your appreciation of books. I’m sure that you will be able to continue reading books together, and discussing them, as he gets older. He’s very lucky!
Jen–thanks for the great advice (and the encouragement you’ve been to me over the years).
Amanda and I are reading Harry Potter together this summer (independently). She’s about to catch me, so I gotta get going on Year 5. . . .
A great post. My daughter is still really young, but this is something great to keep in mind for when she gets older.
I have been able to pass of my love of reading to my son, who will be 5 in a few months. Since he’s starting kindergarten this fall, I went to the library to stock up on the summer reading list that I saw posted at a few of the school’s websites in our area. He gets so excited when I read to him, sometimes asking for 2 books in 1 night! lol… I like the idea of a family reading group. I’ll have to keep that in mind for when he starts to read on his own.
I love Jen Robinson’s book page, or any other for that matter that supports children’s reading. I didn’t start liking books until I was about 10 or 11 when I read “From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler” by E. L. Konigsburg-mysteries are definately my favorite. Last year, a good friend and I started a Mother-Daughter Book Club and we love it. I love some of the 9-12 year old books just as much as my daughter. It has helped 2 of our daughter members love reading even more and their Mom’s got a chance to get back to reading. I highly recommend it for everyone. You have to make time to read, just like you make time to do your laundry or watch TV-however, I can skip the TV and read anyday. Thanks for this website and Happy Reading!!
Jennifer, I’m glad that you and Amanda are still having so much fun sharing books together (even if independently). What a memorable experience that will be for Amanda. Good luck staying caught up!
Michele, I do hope that you’ll be able to keep reading with your daughter as she gets older. I promise – it’s something worth remembering.
Tameka, it’s so great that you’ve been able to pass along a love of reading to your son. I really believe that it’s one of the best and longest-lasting gifts that parents can give to their children.
Cheryl, thanks for sharing your story. I love that you and your friend started a mother-daughter book club, and that’s been so successful. There have been a lot of great books published for that age range since Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (though that remains one of my favorites), and it’s great that you can experience them with your daughter.
Thanks again to all of you for your positive response to my article! I wish you happy reading, now and in the future.