Five Tips to Keep Teens Interested in Reading

Teens nowadays spend very little time reading.  Everything they do is all technologized, as I call it.  I know that's not a word, but I'm declaring it to be one!

As most teens spend the majority of their time outside of school on their phones and techno contraptions, how do we keep their interest in reading?  It's hard in their junior high days, I know!  And it gets even harder as they enter the high school years.

Here are five tips to help keep your teen interested in reading:

1.  Even though they have to read specific books for school, have them find a great book that interests them outside of school.  They can read it on the bus, while eating breakfast, and especially before they go to bed.  So many kids loose that love of reading because they are TOLD what to read by their teachers.  They don't get to choose a book that is of their own interest, therefore they loose interest in reading all together.  Keep them reading books that still fascinate them on a subject matter that intrigues them and you will help them keep that love for reading.

2.  Get your teen a subscription to a magazine(s) of their choice.  It could be a fashion magazine, art magazine, some kids love science type magazines.  Whatever your teen is interested in, that would be a fine magazine to have them receive monthly in the mail.  Even if it's a magazine on video games, they WILL read it! 

3.  Many teens like to know what is going on in the world these days.  Reading the newspaper (yes, they still print those!) or reading a news site or blog can keep teens in the know.  

4.  Anytime you see an article about anything that interests your teen, save it.  Whether it is in print or on the computer, cut it out or email/text them the link. By keeping information in front of them that interests them, they will continue to read instead of solely finding information on youtube.

5.  It's still ok to read to them!  Believe it or not, and they probably won't admit it, but they still love to be read to!  Get a good classic, or a good modern novel that you know your teen will love and sit down and read it together.  You'd be amazed by the discussion you can develop with your teen, and you just might learn something about that child who no longer wants to talk to you much.

If you have some other tips on keeping teens interested in reading, I'd love for you to share them.