At this age your kids are probably thinking about what they will do when they finish school.
Will they go on to do more study? Sign up for an apprenticeship?
Start working?
Regardless of what they choose, they will need their reading skills.
There are very few jobs these days that don’t require some kind of reading.
In high school and college, reading is how your teens will gain a deeper understanding of all the subject areas they are now studying.
Your child will be expected to read and understand complicated information.
They will also be expected to critically evaluate and analyse what they read.
Traineeships and apprenticeships will come with specialised language that your teen will have to learn and understand.
Because of this, you might find that they aren’t keen on reading a home.
Their reading brains have been stretched all day and they need a rest.
This is okay.
If your child is a reluctant reader, gently point out all the things they will need reading for in life:
- Getting their driver’s licence
- Further study, including apprenticeships and other trade-based courses
- Work
- Filling in Government forms
- Communicating via text message
It’s important to realise that reading isn’t just for school, it’s an essential skill for life.
Top tip for teens
- High school and College students do a lot of reading at school. It’s ok if they need a break at home.
- Notice and celebrate all the reading they are doing.
- Help them find books, websites and other material that taps into their interests.
- If they are reading a book for pleasure, let them know it’s okay to skip pages or not finish a book if it’s boring.
- If they don’t want to read a book, suggest they listen to an audiobook (which they can borrow from the library for free).
- Talk to your kids about what you are reading and what they are reading. This is a great way to boost their learning.
- Remind your kids that reading is a skill you need for life and for work, not just school.
If you are concerned about your teen’s reading skills, talk to their teachers. They will let you know how they are going and what else you can do at home to help.
