Some years ago, one of my kids won a reading contest at school. My kid's teacher came to me and asked for advice on how to get her kid interested in reading. Here's the conversation that followed:
Me: Do you have books in the house?
Teacher: Sure. We have a bookcase.
Me: We have four thousand books in our house. My son probably has a thousand books of his own.
Teacher: Oh my gosh.
Me: Do you read to her?
Teacher: Well, I did, when she was little.
Me: I still read to my son. He can read on his own, and doesn't need my help, but we both enjoy being together with a good book. It's a special time for us. We often read together just before lights out. Does your kid have a tv in her room?
Teacher: Well, yes.
Me: Not my son. We help him manage his tv, and video games, too. It leaves a lot more time for reading.
End of story. My daughter loves reading every bit as much as my son. Both are adults now, and they manage their own time. They find time to read dozens of books every year. Most adults haven't read a single book since they left high school.
It's not hard. If you want your kids to read, fill your house with books. Let your kids see you reading. And tell your kids to turn the tv off.
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