6 thoughts on “Simple Ways to Make Reading Fun for Your Child

  1. “Read the book before seeing the movie” – I did this with my older daughter (now 11) and we made it all the way through the entire Harry Potter series like that. It worked out beautifully because we started the books together in Grade 2 and we got to the last book when she was in Grade 6. The gradual changes and sophistication of the books, plus the development of the teenage characters were far too much for her to understand in context, without take the time to read (or being read) the books through and allow for some easy bedtime discussion.

    I think it’s a real pity that often parents take allow their younger children to see movies that are made for older teens. Part of it is that they’re not developmentally ready to understand, part of it is that they miss the richness of the literature (eg. whole chapters or storylines left out of the HP books because they just can’t fit them into the movies), or sometimes – it’s just plainly inappropriate to show a younger child scenes that are meant for an older audience.

    I don’t think it’s a hard and fast rule though about having to read the entire book before the movie. My younger daughter who’s 8 has a very different concentration span. We tried doing it the same way, and she took 6 months to get through 2 chapters because it didn’t engage her in the same way. She is passionate about Harry Potter, so we’re reading the books by chapters, and showing the scenes of the movies where they match. That way, it’s still inspiring her to read the book, but the momentum is being driven by the occasional movie scene. She is realising slowly that the book is far richer than the movie, and occasionally quite upset that the movies omit such great chapters – so that works quite well to show her the power of literature. She’s now early into book 3, so learning to accomodate her learning style is working out well.

    Cheers,

    – Ian

  2. I will add though that she also enjoys seeing scenes in the movies that *aren’t* in the books. It’s a great demonstration that cinema is a valid art form, and we discuss why they added certain scenes and why they’re so visually beautiful.

    1. Thank you so much for your sharing your experiences reading the books before the movie. You bring up such great points and have a really balanced view! It’s much appreciated!

  3. Well, we have a little mutual appreciation society going on here. I love your blog because it’s so thoughtful, balanced and responsible. Thank you! (-:

    … last thing I’ll add about the original topic – both my girls occasionally felt a bit left out when most of their friends at school see the latest HP movies and they’re not allowed. My older daughter Grace, who’s eagerly waiting for the Deathly Hallows movie now appreciates that her friends who didn’t read the books are the ones that have missed out, because she’s gained so much more richness from the books.

    My 8 year old is still struggling with it … but she’s only early into book 3. Yet to gain the hindsight that her big sister has.

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