We know reading is important in home schooling. The ability to read is still a major pathway for learning anything—even though we live in a digital age. We also know good readers frequently create better writers and communicators.

However, we often think pragmatically about our reason for reading: you read to learn—or, you read for enjoyment. Actually, there are lifelong, intangible benefits of reading that affect every area of our lives.

Reading…

  • Develops the brain, increasing verbal and reasoning skills.
  • Improves focus and concentration.
  • Develops social skills (builds empathy, provides a venue to examine others’ choices, ideas, cultures, and life situations).
  • Reduces stress. For example, a study found that reading reduced stress by 68%.

And yet, daily we talk to parents whose children are struggling to discover the joys from reading an engaging book. Sometimes there are genuine learning challenges. Many times, though, the trick is about finding the book that makes everything “click.” Additionally, helping children embrace reading in our e-centric society seems like a “salmon-swimming-upstream” accomplishment. Don’t give up! Helping your child work through these challenges is so worth it!

Welcome to the first of a regular article series highlighting books sure to invite and engage your readers. We’ll also offer different reading ideas to try.

Reading Idea: Get children hooked on a fiction series.

A series is a sequence of books identified as a group that usually includes the same characters. Think Little Bear or Hardy Boys. A series provides familiar characters that become like dear friends. A series continues a story you’ve truly enjoyed—like traveling to a new country and you want to return. Once invested in a book from a series, continuing in the series is the reward on your child’s investment. Finding a series that a child is interested in can be a game changer for a reluctant reader. Start with the first book of a series. If that one falls flat, try another. Choose a series by child’s interest or genre. A humorous series often works well.

While immersing yourself in a series is the goal. That also carries intrinsic dangers: like binge watching a favorite show. Watch out if

  • Your child gets stuck in one genre/style. One of our staff discovered the love of reading with The Box Car Children, but she wouldn’t engage with other books until she’d finished the series. Today, that would mean completing 160 books before venturing on. Varying the series and type (mystery, humor, historical fiction, etc.) provides fertile ground for brain development.
  • Your child gets stuck in one reading level. Hank the Cow Dog has jump-started many a reluctant reader with its humor and endearing characters. But, a child’s success in a series can feel so comfortable that a reader will want to stay there. But their reading skills should mature. A series should help propel them into other reading worlds rather than hold them captive.

Investigate some options that might spark the interest, motivation, and excitement of your child. Chances are, you’ll enjoy them too! Let’s converse on social media! We’d love your feedback on the value of reading. Share a series you love or one that has jumpstarted your child’s love of reading. ~ Ruth

 

Fiction Series to Consider:

American Dog • (Grades 2-5)

The Penderwicks • (Grades 3-7)

Gaither Sister Series • (Grades 3-7)

Green Ember Series • (Grades 3-7)

Growly Books • (Grades 3-7)

100 Cupboards • (Grades 3-7)

The Vanderbeekers Series • (Grades 3-7)

10 True Tales Series • (Grades 4-8)

Inheritance Series Eragon • (Grades 7-12)