One Tired Teacher
One Tired Teacher
OTT: 242: Daily Rituals That Transform Children into Lifelong Readers
What if raising a reader didn't require battles, bribes, or boredom? What if the secret wasn't about forcing more reading minutes, but about transforming how your child feels about books?
This eye-opening episode reveals three deceptively simple daily habits that turn reluctant readers into book lovers. As both an experienced teacher and parent, I share research-backed strategies that make books a natural, joyful part of children's lives rather than another task to check off their to-do list. The approach focuses on creating environments and rituals that foster a love of reading, helping children develop lasting reading identities that extend beyond school assignments.
We examine how traditional approaches often backfire, rendering reading a chore rather than a pleasure. I share personal stories from my classroom and home that demonstrate the power of no-pressure reading rituals, modeling genuine reading enjoyment, and making books interactive experiences. Parents frequently tell me they are primarily concerned with test scores and academic performance. Still, I challenge this perspective by showing how children who love reading naturally excel without the relationship-damaging battles that can arise from forcing them to read.
You'll learn specific, actionable strategies you can implement today, including creating cozy reading moments without rigid rules, making books visible and accessible throughout your home, and transforming reading into a social and interactive experience rather than a solitary task. I also share my "Five-Minute Reading Fix" for busy parents who need quick solutions that actually work.
Ready to raise a child who reaches for books by choice? This episode provides the blueprint for growing readers who not only know how to read but genuinely want to do so. Subscribe now and join our community of parents creating confident, joyful readers one page at a time!
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Welcome to One Tired Teacher, episode 242. Simple daily habits to turn your child into a lifelong reader. So today we are taking a look at some habits that will actually help your child read for life, and that is the goal. That's what we want. Reading isn't just about how we get through school or how we do on a test. There's so much more to it, so much more to reading and the love of reading and falling in love with books, and that's what we're going to talk about today. So I hope you stick around.
Speaker 2:Welcome to One Tired Teacher and even though she may need a nap, this teacher is ready to wake up and speak her truth about the trials and treasures of teaching here. She is wide awake. Wait, she's not asleep right now, is she? She is awake right. Okay, From Trina Debery, Teaching and Learning your host, Trina Debery.
Speaker 1:Hi, what if reading wasn't about forcing kids to read books? What if it was about making books a natural, joyful part of their everyday, daily lives? In today's video, I'm going to share three simple but powerful habits that will help your child see themselves as a reader and develop a love of books. Hope you stick around. Hi, I'm Trina Debery, and this is Readers in the Making, and this is what you're going to learn today. You're going to learn the daily habits that create lifelong readers. You're going to learn research-backed strategies to help kids love books without pressure. And then I'm going to share a simple five-minute reading fix for busy parents who need quick solutions. All right, let's get started. So why daily reading habits matter? Let's talk about the research behind lifelong readers. Habits matter. Let's talk about the research behind lifelong readers. Studies show that reading and that kids who see reading as a normal, everyday, enjoyable activity, not as part of a school requirement, but as something that they enjoy and love, they are far more likely to be a lifelong reader.
Speaker 1:Now let's talk about why this matters really quick, because I often hear parents and even family members who are like, well, my kid doesn't really love reading. They, they, you know, we don't have. We have some books, but they don't really love it a lot. That's, but that's the problem. And then, and then they say things like they will go to college. They have no choice but go to college. Like all my all the kids will go to college. And I'm like, if you really care about that which, but if you really care about that, you want to really think that through, because if that's what you want for them, if that's the path they have to take which I personally don't think that kids have to take that path but let's say you really want that path, you're going to have, they're going to have a lot of reading. They're going to have a lot of reading Because you're reading a ton when you're on the college path and if kids hate it, they're not going to do it as much as they should, they're not going to want to do it, they're not going to be happy about doing it, and that's a long battle with your child. When they don't love to read, homework is not fun, reading is not fun, schoolwork is not. None of that is fun when they hate it. So let's get them to love it instead, all right.
Speaker 1:So the key is about isn't about how much they read. It's about how they feel about reading. It does matter how much they read through their lifetime. But again, if they don't like it, they're not going to do it as much. If they love it, they're going to do it a lot more. All right, when books are part of their everyday routine, kids start to identify as readers, which builds confidence and motivation. So think about it. Which builds confidence and motivation. So think about it. If a child grows up in a home where reading is celebrated, modeled and easily accessible, they're naturally going to develop a love for books.
Speaker 1:I often hear parents tell me that they aren't really worried about if their child likes reading, that they are more concerned how they're doing in school and how they test and them going to college, which is like I shared a little earlier. But let me challenge this with. When we love something, when we truly love something, we do it more often. We do it without complaining, we do it without battles or bribes. We do it because we love it. If your child doesn't love it, you have a very long road ahead of you and I can promise you it's not going to be easy and it will take a major toll on your relationship with your child. There came a time in counseling with my son that I realized I had to decide Did I care more about his school success or did I care about having a relationship with him? And I chose Jackson, and it made all the difference. So, before you end this video, I want you to consider how much easier it would be if your child actually loves to read.
Speaker 1:So let's dive in. Did you hear something that someone else needs to hear? Definitely share this with a friend, because some people definitely need to hear this. If you heard something you like, give me a like in the comments. I need to know that I'm on the right track. All right, let's dive in.
Speaker 1:We're going to talk about three daily habits that make the biggest impact on your child's reading. Habit number one make reading a no pressure, no rules ritual. So, whoops, so many mistakes that parents make as we turn reading into a chore. You have to read for 20 minutes before their screen time, over-structuring things like. Kids feel like they're on the clock rather than engaging in a story when we make it a chore and then we've got like we got to go. We got it, we're moving on, we're going to you know, soccer, and then we've got to go to basketball and you got to make sure you do your reading. Okay, let's go. How do we fix it? We choose a daily reading ritual without rules. So, instead of making it a task, make it reading a cozy, connected, pressure-free part of their day. So here's an example let's cuddle up and read before bed, instead of saying you have to read for 20 minutes. This gives you a connection that you desire with your child, and this time is even though this is thought of as a happy and joyful time and of love, rather than an argument that you have every single night.
Speaker 1:Let them read however they want. They want to listen to an audio book? Great. You want to read the same book 10 times? Perfect. Want to flip through pictures instead of reading the words? That's OK too. Why does this work? Because when reading is associated with warmth, comfort, love and choice, kids look forward to it. Kids don't they? When they feel in control, which this increases motivation. No pressure equals more willingness to engage with books. Try this tonight. Create a relaxed reading moment. Light a candle, grab a blanket, let your child pick the book and enjoy it together.
Speaker 1:Habit number two model reading and make books accessible. The mistakes many parents make is they're telling kids reading is important, but they're never modeling it themselves. Your child never sees you reading, or books are hidden away. You've got them behind closed doors instead of being easily available and inviting. Like I was saying before, if you don't have a lot of books in the house and there's not a lot to choose from, it gets kind of like well, this isn't so fun. It's like if we had didn't have streaming or cable and we only had three or four channels to choose from. It's not as fun. So think about that when you're thinking about books. And there's lots of places to get books for really cheap as well, like Goodwill or, you know, garage sales or yard sales or things like that. So doing a swap with your neighbors that's a really cheap and easy way to do it too.
Speaker 1:How do we fix this? We let kids catch us reading. When they see that you're enjoying a book, they're more likely to read and find it valuable and fun. So I love this story, want to read next to me. I know when I would read in my classroom with my second graders when I was teaching, everything stopped. They wanted to read too. They were so excited when I snuggled up on the couch and was reading Twilight not to them, to myself. I wasn't reading to them. They would be so excited that I was reading that they would get their books and want to snuggle next to me. Or they would be so excited that I was reading that they would get their books and wanna snuggle next to me, or they would wanna be on the floor around me. And when the timer went off for our time to be up, they were like no, and I was like no, let's read for five more minutes. And they're like yay, and that's what we would do. We want kids to see how much we love it, how much we enjoy it. And I was literally. I wasn't faking it, I wasn't acting. I really wanted to keep reading. So that's a really important thing.
Speaker 1:Make books visible at an everyday part of your life. Put books everywhere in the car, on the coffee table, near their bed, next to the toilet. Yes, it's okay, you can have toilet books, it's all right. It really does make a difference. Rotate books weekly so there's always something fresh to explore.
Speaker 1:Why does it work? When books are in reach, kids are more likely to pick them up. When they see you reading, they're naturally going to follow the lead. If you've heard something you like, definitely give me a thumbs up. I'm a words of affirmation kind of girl. I need to know that I'm resonating with you, so give me a thumbs up. Let a words of affirmation kind of girl. I need to know that I'm, that I'm resonating with you, so give me a thumbs up. Let me know in the comments. All right, my own children and my students. They loved when I read to them and when I grabbed a book and sat down and read to them, oh, all bets were off. So kids would actually beg for more rating time. What a difference this makes. All right, this also works to create an environment where books are just part of life, not something forced. Try this tonight Instead of telling your child to read and grab a book, actually read next to them. See if they join in. All right, let's talk about habit number three Make books interactive, social and fun.
Speaker 1:The mistakes that I see is thinking reading equals just sitting and turning pages, focusing on quiet, solo reading instead of making books interactive. How can we fix this? We can turn books into conversations and we can turn them into playful moments. First of all, ask open-ended questions. What would you do in this situation? To playful moments. First of all, ask open-ended questions. What would you do in this situation? How do you think this character was feeling in this part? If this were you, would you feel like this too? How would you feel? What do you think is gonna happen next? How do you know that? How do you know what you know Like? Things like that are so important.
Speaker 1:Act out parts of the story. Give each character a voice. Let them retell the story in their way through drawing or acting, or even building it with Legos. Make reading a social experience. Join a library story time or a book club for kids. Have a family book night. Everyone reads their own book, then shares one thing that they learned Read with relatives, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles can all be a part of the reading journey. Why does this work? It boosts comprehension. Kids engage more when reading is active, reinforce storytelling skills and creativity. It turns reading into a shared experience instead of a solitary task.
Speaker 1:Try this tonight Read a book together, but let your child act out the characters, silly voices and all All right. The five-minute reading fix. So I want to share this with you. It's a little freebie that you can grab. It makes easy reading easy and stress-free to build your child's confidence. You can grab this five-minute reading fix. It's quick, actionable strategies to help your child enjoy reading without frustration. It's perfect for busy parents and I also have one for teachers who need real solutions fast. You can download it in the description below.
Speaker 1:All right reading isn't. Let's do a final thought. Reading isn't just about books, it's about connection. It's about curiosity. It's about creating habits that make books a natural part of their daily life. Try one of these habits today and let me know how it worked. Drop a comment below. What's your child's favorite book to read? Want more quick and easy reading strategies? Sign up for my newsletter Reading Readers in the Making and get access to exclusive tips, book recommendations and fun reading challenges. You can find that at trinadeveryteachingandlearncom. Forward slash newsletter All one word newsletter. And don't forget to like this video, to share this video and to subscribe to this channel so you don't miss a thing. So together, you and I are creating confident, joyful readers. Readers in the making, one page at a time. Bye for now.