Guest Post: Tips to Get Your Kids Reading

Today’s Guest Post is by Julie Landry Laviolette. Julie is a mom of two tweens and founder of Story Bayou , which makes interactive book apps for kids 8-12. Her first book app, Brush of Truth, has been recognized nationally for its appeal to reluctant readers.

Tips to Get Your Kids Reading

by Julie Landry Laviolette

Founder, Story Bayou

Many kids never pick up a book for fun. But studies show that kids who read for pleasure have better vocabulary, are more inspired writers and are better test takers.

So what’s a frustrated parent to do? Here are some tips for parents to make reading more accessible and fun for a finicky kid:

Try eBooks: Kids are drawn to technology, so anything inside a screen automatically ups the cool factor. Download titles from a book store or online marketplace to your laptop from the comfort of your living room. Check out free titles from you public library and transfer them via Wifi to your eReader. If you don’t have an eReader, download a free Kindle app to your smartphone or tablet.

Let’s hear it for audiobooks: Audiobooks, read aloud by professional narrators, are theater for your brain. They are excellent for bringing stories alive for kids on car trips, in doctors’ waiting rooms and while on the move. Download them straight to your child’s iPod or MP3 player from the library (free) or book store. If you have a smartphone, apps like “Audiobooks” allow you to download thousands of classics, like “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” or “Anne of Green Gables,” for free.

Get hip with book apps: The latest trend in kids’ literacy, book apps are a cross between an eBook and a game. You get the full text of a paper book, with interactive elements that let kids make choices in a story, or hear music or narration. Find quality book apps at review sites like Digital Storytime, or on sites like AppyMall, which let you search by grade level. The site moms with apps  runs promotions of free and discounted apps every Friday.

Go old school with comics: If the thought of a paper book is overwhelming to your child, head to the comic book or graphic novel section of your book store or library. If they’re already a fan of Spiderman or Snoopy, a comic book will hook them with the illustrations. Soon they’ll be trying to work out the words to follow the action. Start small with the comics in the newspaper.

Turn TV time into reading time: You can do this without turning off the TV! Just turn on the closed-captioning feature to display text on the screen during your child’s favorite program. If they have a flair for the dramatic – and what kid doesn't? -- challenge them to read aloud and recite the lines with the actors.

Thanks Julie, for your ideas!

Gail