What Ever Happened to Imagination?

Source: Max Elliot Anderson

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As an author of adventures and mysteries, written especially for tween boys, I'm often invited to speak in schools. One of my first statements to the students is, "Something has been stolen from you, and you don't even know it." That something is the use of their individual imagination.

The reason for this loss can be directly attributed to an increase in the use of technology, leading to a decrease in reading. When children watch television, DVDs, or play video games, the music and sound effects suggest how they should think, feel, and react to what is happening on the screen. In many cases, the use of electronic devices has become somewhat addictive. As a result, many tweens are thought to be slow learners, struggling or reluctant readers, along with other labels. It is critically important for parents to make sure that their tweens are reading, on a regular basis, as early as possible. Those habits will serve children well for a lifetime. But what if you have a child who doesn't want to read? What then?

I grew up hating to read. About ten years ago, I decided to find out why. The results of that research may be helpful to you.
First, it's important to be sure that there aren't any physical, emotional, neurological, other medical conditions, or vision problems that might hamper reading. This should be diagnosed by professionals. Once these have been ruled out, you can move on to find reading strategies that are best for your child.

1. Choose topics that interest them. If children aren't interested in the subject matter, they aren't likely to be interested in reading about it.
2. Expand to consider materials other than books. This can include magazines, the sports page, comic books, or other sources.
3. Try audio books. A child can listen while holding a copy of the same book. He is able to both see and hear the words at the same time, and practice following along on the page. This can be done with higher than grade level material.
4. Choose a book that is below grade level. This will help to build confidence.
5. If your child is already familiar with electronic devices, interest your child in using electronic readers like Kindle, iPad, or others.
6. Take turns reading (even advanced books) out loud. His skills will improve as he listens to the way you read.
7. Have your child try reading to a child, a dog, a cat, a doll, or stuffed animal.
8. Look for high interest, low vocabulary books called Hi-Lo.
9. Get rid of distractions during reading, including the TV, music, or other noises. And make sure your child is in a comfortable place.
10. Above all, make reading fun.

If your child avoids reading - choosing video games, or the computer time over reading - consider using those activities as rewards. You can say, "After you've read for thirty minutes, or an hour," for example, "then you may spend time doing those other things."
An interesting device that might help with reading time issue is the Mark My Time digital bookmark. It's a great aid for reluctant readers because it helps them to set a concrete reading goal. This simple tool is a plastic bookmark with a timer attached to the top. It has simple button controls that allow you to either count the time up or down to your goal.

How important is reading to your tween? When we read, we fully engage our imagination. We decide what things look like, smell like, sound like, and taste like. Processes take place in the brain, while reading, that don't happen any other way. And reading will prepare your child for future success in life.

Max Elliot Anderson grew up as a struggling, reluctant reader. Using his extensive experience in the production of motion pictures, videos, and television commercials, he brings the same visual excitement and heart-pounding action to his adventure and mystery stories, written especially for tween boys. Both boys and girls have reported that reading one of his books is like being in an exciting movie.  Max's new book, Lost Island Smugglers, first in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series, is coming out this summer.

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