

Why do my kids hate reading?

Story Time at the Washington Ave. Branch.

Story Time at the Washington Ave. Branch.

If being a parent has taught me anything, it is an understanding of other parents. I was always thrown off by mothers and fathers who take on their child’s interest in reading with a nervous anxiety. I have to confess, my five-year-old has not started reading. Yes, my heart rate elevates and I get dizzy thinking about it.

However, my son does love books. He enjoys me reading to him and, more importantly, he absolutely loves looking at photos and illustrations, creating his own narrative.

Much of my early library career was spent in youth services, where I tried many times to convince parents that reading level was not the key to success. The goal is not to create readers, but recreational readers. Lifelong readers are that because they love and enjoy reading, not because they were forced to struggle with reading at the same level as their peers in 6th grade.

That is why I was excited to read a recent article in the Washington Times titled “If we stop telling kids what to read, they might start reading again.”  The article points to a 2005 study that shows “children’s feelings about reading in second and third grade predicted how well they would perform on reading tests when they were in seventh grade, regardless of how well they read when they were younger.”  The article also points out the importance of letting kids read, with some guidance, books that they pick out themselves.

I can’t think of a better place to bring a child to do just that than the public library. There you’ll find a professionally trained adult (and neutral third party) who can help guide your child in picking out a book. The recommendations and the price (free!) might help relieve some stress.

Which reminds me, we recently remodeled the Washington Ave. Branch’s youth services room. The space includes some cool new furniture and technology, but more importantly, books. We would love to have you come visit and are hosting a special ribbon cutting ceremony on Feb. 3rd at 10 am. I hope you can join us.


Scott Jarzombek