I often wish I could go back in time and tell myself not to worry. So many hours spent worrying about things that ended up being totally fine. Yes, some things merited that worry, but many didn’t. How does this tie into reading? I think as parents, we worry about our children reading. Are they reading enough? Are they reading the right books? Are they reading at their appropriate level? Why are they rereading the same book instead of different books? Why do they only read certain subjects?
Looking back at my childhood reading, I don’t recall ever being told to pick a different book. If a book was beyond my reading level at the time, I either put it away to read later or, if I loved the book, persevered slowly trying to understand. Sometimes I read books well below my reading level. I often reread books because I enjoyed revisiting those stories. I remember reading Stephen King as a tween and as long as it wasn’t giving me nightmares, no one stopped me. I believe that this is what made me a reader.
Reading at the appropriate reading level is important. Teachers will recommend books and obviously all school reading should follow what the teacher recommends. If a child picks up a book below their reading level for some at home recreational reading…it’s ok (as long as they are doing their appropriate school reading too). They are choosing to read in their free time. I obviously embody this when writing this column. I enjoy so many of the books I read to write about here. I also read much more complex books that would be deemed an “appropriate” reading level. Neither are better, they are all great books in their own ways, and I grow as a reader from all of them.
In school, rereading a book might not be what a teacher wants a student to do when they are working on specific reading skills. At home, if a child picks up a book they already read and wants to reread it in their free time…it’s ok. There is often a comfort that comes from rewatching shows or movies. The same can be the case for rereading favorite books. For those who are easily stressed, reading a book where they know what will happen next makes it more enjoyable. Also, when rereading a book, readers may pick up on things they previously missed. I love to reread “Harry Potter” in the fall because I enjoy the vivid holidays in the books. I have reread “Charlotte’s Web” so many times and I continue to find more things that I love about that book. My favorite book to reread “A Time to Keep: the Tasha Tudor Book of Holidays.” Broken down into months, I might reread the whole book or simply skip to the current month and enjoy those few pages.
If we feel like we aren’t good at something, someone pointing out what we are doing wrong, might make us shut down or give up. Obviously, I mean this within reason. If a child is attempting a dangerous sport and something is pointed out for safety reasons, that wouldn’t apply here. I also don’t mean this in terms of homework…the student who does a math problem wrong needs to be shown what is wrong and how to correct it. I’m thinking of the child who picks up a picture book to read in their free time because they like seeing the story while reading the words. While it might not be the book they are supposed to read for homework (and as long as they are reading that too), it’s ok.
If you are still concerned because your child does all of these things, there are some great books you can recommend that may help and won’t discourage your reader. If your child loves to reread a particular book, look for other similar books. If your child loves picture books and you want them reading more advanced stories, there are some incredible advanced picture books that cover more complicated topics, have more words per page, etc. Maybe introduce them to graphic novels that combine word and pictures in a different way.
How do you find these books you can recommend to your reader? Stop by your local library or independent bookstore. The librarians and booksellers have read so much and always have incredible suggestions. Many online book retailers also have sections of suggested books based on a specific title. Include your child in finding these books. A great way would be “I know you love this book, let’s find more like it.” Feeling validated about the books they love, will help grow their confidence as a reader.
I truly believe I read as much as I do is because I never felt bad about the books I chose. I never felt like I could only read certain books or others were for smaller children or older children. As long as the topic was appropriate, I was given the green light in the library to pick up whatever books I chose and enjoy the stories. I read books I might not have otherwise, if my reading list had been entirely curated for me.