Is There Anything Wrong With Reading all the Time?

Kids can never read too much, right? 

Don't we want them to become readers? To become a reader you're going to have to read.

Aren't we always trying to get them to get in their daily dose of reading? 

What about that school reading calendar? Don't you want your child to get that free pizza, token, grade or prize from turning it in all filled out?

Of course, we all want to see our children- every child in fact- reading. I would celebrate to see my son turn off the Wii and relax with a great book. I would support my daughter in ditching out on a trip to the mall with friends for a curl up with a thick novel. Seeing kids read makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. 

However, can reading too much sometimes interfere with other worthy activities? Possibly.

What about when a child goes to bed, but then stays up for another hour or so reading.

What if they are great readers, but let the homework go by the wayside.

An article by Scholastic Parents addresses some ways to help with these possible bad reading habits that need to be broken. Here's what they have to say.

Reading in bed may have a relaxing effect that helps your child fall asleep. But you don't want her staying up too late. Fortunately, there are ways to compromise:

1. Factor in reading time when setting bedtime. Lights-out is 9:00. If she wants to read in bed, she needs to start at 8:30 instead of watching a television program.

2. Give one special late bedtime per week, when she gets to stay up a half-hour later as long as she's reading.

3. Keep reading aloud together. It's beneficial, even for an older child, because you can expose her to more advanced material. And you're there to set time limits.

Reading instead of homework?

If your child plows through books but his math homework suffers, be firm: Reading a non-school book comes after homework is complete. You may even have to take the book away and keep it until he has finished his assignment. 

Enforce a "school comes first" policy or allow study breaks so that your child can read a chapter or two of his current non-school book. Let him know that you think his reading habit is great by offering a reward: If his science grades go up, you'll treat him to a new book of his choice. 

Poor reading habits can be reversed. Yes, we want them to read, just not instead of homework, or until 2:00 am. It's important to teach and show your child that reading is a great hobby. I guess I'm not such a good example when I'm at the stove burning dinner because I'm holding my book. "I'm at a really important part, just leave me alone." 

Now, what can we do about all those bad texting habits?