I love all of this and think it extends far beyond reading stamina to any lifelong habits we hope to set kids up for success with. It's disheartening to me how many times I've seen homeschoolers advise each other to just tell kids math is non-negotiable and restrict access to everything else until it's done. That's not how we build a love of broccoli, reading, movement, math, or anything else! Strewing is great, but modeling is greater. There is nothing my kids love more than watching me engaged in productive struggle with difficult math (except maybe curling up next to each other and silently reading together).
I’m so glad it resonates, Becky! I think that parents often hide productive struggle from their children, which is such a disservice. Kids want to know why what they’re doing matters — and even just that it matters at all. Thanks for being here and for sharing your thoughts!
Great advice in here! When I first launched my newsletter almost 5 years ago I surveyed hundreds of parents. It was startling to see the disparity between the percentage of parents who want their children to read voraciously and the percentage of parents who read 0-1 books themselves in a year. This can not be overstated …“Do not underestimate the power of reading alongside your child without your phone.”
Thank you! And ugh, I know. I think it feels impossible for some parents, but a few minutes of reading yourself each day can have so much more impact than a few minutes of arguing each day!!
One parent responded and said that they way they changed the reading culture in their house was to actually schedule it in. They started with writing 15 minutes of family reading on the calendar a couple times a week. They treated it like an appointment and everybody read. Eventually, everyone (parents and kids), got hooked by the books they were reading and they all started reading more.
I love all of this and think it extends far beyond reading stamina to any lifelong habits we hope to set kids up for success with. It's disheartening to me how many times I've seen homeschoolers advise each other to just tell kids math is non-negotiable and restrict access to everything else until it's done. That's not how we build a love of broccoli, reading, movement, math, or anything else! Strewing is great, but modeling is greater. There is nothing my kids love more than watching me engaged in productive struggle with difficult math (except maybe curling up next to each other and silently reading together).
I’m so glad it resonates, Becky! I think that parents often hide productive struggle from their children, which is such a disservice. Kids want to know why what they’re doing matters — and even just that it matters at all. Thanks for being here and for sharing your thoughts!
Great advice in here! When I first launched my newsletter almost 5 years ago I surveyed hundreds of parents. It was startling to see the disparity between the percentage of parents who want their children to read voraciously and the percentage of parents who read 0-1 books themselves in a year. This can not be overstated …“Do not underestimate the power of reading alongside your child without your phone.”
Thank you! And ugh, I know. I think it feels impossible for some parents, but a few minutes of reading yourself each day can have so much more impact than a few minutes of arguing each day!!
One parent responded and said that they way they changed the reading culture in their house was to actually schedule it in. They started with writing 15 minutes of family reading on the calendar a couple times a week. They treated it like an appointment and everybody read. Eventually, everyone (parents and kids), got hooked by the books they were reading and they all started reading more.
I love this story as proof that every family can find their own way that works with their personalities!
Wow, so much good stuff in here, Clarkie!
Thank you, Kathryn!