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Many times I hear dads lament that their children simply don't like to read. In my experience, this has a lot to do with their child's reading interests. It almost goes without saying that children will be less motivated to read books they are not interested in than books that connect to their personal interests. One way a dad might increase reading motivation is by making books available that connect to his child's interests in everyday life. For instance, if you have a son who loves to play football, it might be a good idea to provide opportunities for your son to read books about his favorite football players. This can be a great way to connect to this child's interests and make reading more enjoyable. In keeping with the school of thought, I have a daughter who enjoys watching Shimmer and Shine on TV. When we go to the library, I often encourage her to pick out books that involve the Shimmer and Shine characters. She is often overjoyed by the opportunity to read books that connect to her entertainment interests. Some other easy ways to increase reading motivation include:
1. Making reading a regular family event 2. Connecting reading to real life experiences in a child's life 3. Connecting reading to the Arts 4. Modeling reading for enjoyment 5. Gifting books for birthdays, holidays, and other special moments 6. Giving your child a regular book allowance and taking him or her to the bookstore once per month to go shopping for books Feel free to leave a comment or question below. Remember that everything is better with books!
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 Children learn language through both formal and informal language interactions. These opportunities can be planned and unplanned by adults. A dad can support his child's oral language development by taking time to talk his child on a daily basis. A dad can stimulate conversation by asking questions about feelings, events, and objects in his child's everyday world. You might even support oral language development by talking to your child as you engage in dramatic play with him or her. Some more structured ways of supporting your child's oral language development include:
1) Scaffolding--Providing support as children attempt more difficult language skills 2) Modeling--Providing clear examples for children to use as they develop language skills 3) Distancing--Posing open ended questions related to a child's feelings and thoughts 4) Feedback--Providing verbal feedback to encourage, support and reinforce language skills 5) NarrativeTalk--Engaging in authentic conversations with children Feel free to leave a comment or question below. Remember that everything is better with books!  It's that time of the year again! During this time of year, many families typically spend a lot of time relaxing, having fun, and enjoying each other's company. In the midst of all of the travel, excitement, gift giving, and fun, it is easy to forget about reading. I encourage all of the dads out there to make a commitment to read with your child at least 20 minutes each day during the holiday season. Not only will this help them make a smoother transition back to school in January, but it will also balance the amount of time they typically spend engaging in some form of screen time activity. Happy Holidays! Remember that everything is better with books! |
About Me:My name is Dr. Terry Husband and I am an Associate Professor of Early Childhood and Elementary Literacy at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. I am also a father of three beautiful daughters and passionate about reading. Research suggests that fathers play a very critical role in a child's literacy development. At the same time, many fathers are unsure how they might best support their child's literacy development outside of school. This blog is designed to encourage and support fathers as they read to and with their children on a regular basis outside of school. As you browse this blog, you will find articles, tools, and links to assist you in this journey. I hope you enjoy! Archives
November 2019
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