Teenage reading: 5 ways to help teens create a reading culture

As technology continues to advance, the more teenage reading, and reading culture amongst older children diminishes.

Teenagers are more immersed in their electronic gadgets such as laptops and phones. Reading is essential for your children as it nourishes the brain by developing intuitive skills and increasing knowledge on many subjects. As a teacher or parent, it is helpful for our teens if we can try to cultivate a reading culture amongst our kids and their friends. Here are some ideas of how to encourage teenage reading.

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Teenage reading with a family member can be enjoyed

If you want to instill a teenage reading culture, practice reading with them. The best way is to have reading material, whether a magazine, book, or newspaper, as they read theirs. Alternatively, read the same books they read and once you’re both through with the book, discuss it to see what each of you learned and how you understood it.

Let teens pick what to read

As a parent, you should be concerned with what your kids read. However, allow them to pick books or magazines that interest them. In the library, especially, give them time to explore books what they will want to read to the end. Teenagers also love technology, and you can use it to create ebooks. Make QR codes for the learners to access more reading materials.

Read tangible books, magazines, and newspapers

E-reading is easy and convenient, even for adults. However, you could be reading a lot of material daily, but your teens will never know. Consequently, they won’t understand the importance of reading if they don’t see you do it. To develop positive reading habits, read tangible materials. With printed versions of newspapers and magazines on current news, editorial content, and events, you will find that your kids leaf through them now and then.

Take them to the library

The library is an exceptional place to cultivate a reading culture in your teens. There are many free books to pick from on different topics that can spark your kid’s interest to read as much as possible. In the library, your kids will be motivated to read as more people are doing the same. If possible, get them a library membership to enable them to take books home and continue reading.

Create a teenage reading routine

Reading moments are part of our daily life, whether it’s grocery lists, recipes, or sitting down with a good book. As you look out for these moments, also ensure that your teenagers have a reading routine. Set some time before meals or bedtime for them to read. Designate a reading area for your teens, for example, in the study or next to a bookshelf. This way, they will have a special place that motivates, and gets them in a reading mood.

If your teenagers don’t fancy reading, it might be challenging to get them to read. Use strategies like taking them to the library, letting them pick what to read, reading together, and creating a reading routine. Inspire your kids to read during the holidays instead of spending time on their electronic devices by gifting them with tangible reading material.

You could even get them into reading by suggesting they tackle something other than books, perhaps comics or even a magazine reading challenge with a site like Readly might help?

We hope that this has inspired you to help with teenage reading – we do have a few other articles on the site focused on reading and litercy:

Alternatively, there are lots of other great sites out there with ideas to improve, and instil a love of reading in kids.

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Thanks as always for stopping by.

Helen

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