{"id":19715,"date":"2024-02-19T07:00:41","date_gmt":"2024-02-19T12:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/?p=19715"},"modified":"2025-01-03T16:07:20","modified_gmt":"2025-01-03T21:07:20","slug":"tips-building-kids-reading-stamina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/tips-building-kids-reading-stamina\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips and Tricks for Building Kids\u2019 Reading Stamina"},"content":{"rendered":"

We talk a lot about teaching kids to read, but what about teaching them to keep reading<\/em>? Reading, like any mentally or physically demanding activity, takes stamina. Acknowledging this to kids and purposefully helping them build their reading stamina empowers them to go the distance as readers.<\/p>\n

In the classroom, helping kids\u2019 increase their reading stamina can make a successful literacy block. No one wins when the teacher has to spend most of their Reading Workshop cajoling kids to read and squashing interruptions instead of teaching small groups and conferencing with kids about their books. Even more importantly, we want kids reading as much as possible both in and out of school. Research shows that the amount of reading time and reading volume significantly impacts kids\u2019 reading success. Here are some tried-and-true teacher tricks for building kids\u2019 reading stamina.<\/p>\n

Give reading stamina a prominent place in your reading curriculum.<\/strong>
\nThe beginning of the school year, when classrooms are putting school and homework routines into place, is a classic time to talk about reading stamina. (Though you can start anytime, and it\u2019s not a one-and-done concept!) Set aside time for talking about what \u201cstamina\u201d means and why it\u2019s essential for reading. Lay out your plans for helping kids strengthen their reading endurance. Feel free to get dramatic; for instance, act out the agony of hearing a friend gush over the ending of a book you didn’t finish because you were too tired to read more than a few pages at a time.<\/p>\n

Share motivating anecdotes.<\/strong>
\nOffer diverse stamina role models. Talk about your fitness routine, research the endurance-building rituals of a famous pro athlete, or discuss how stamina is integral to kids\u2019 particular interests. Ask a kid who struggles with reading but excels in something else, like karate or pottery, to share how they stick with their pursuits to reach success. It makes for a meaningful, relatable analogy and<\/em> a confidence boost. Additionally, read aloud books in which characters persevere over time and connect it to kids\u2019 reading stamina challenges and growth. (See some favorite picks below.)<\/p>\n

Set goals and track them.<\/strong>
\nWe all like to see ourselves making progress. Set incremental goals, such as gradually building up uninterrupted minutes of reading each day and chart progress individually or as a group. It\u2019s best to start with small and achievable goals to experience immediate success and work up from there. (No kids are more proud\u2014or more excited for the next challenge\u2014than the kindergarten class getting praised because they achieved TWO WHOLE MINUTES of uninterrupted reading.)<\/p>\n

Be ready for roadblocks.<\/strong>
\nAnticipate what will make sustained reading challenging, based on kids\u2019 ages and personalities, and prepare a strategy. If a kid \u201cneeds\u201d to get up for drinks or the bathroom every two minutes or can\u2019t resist chatting, then set a time for these things in advance or after a set amount of reading time. For kids discouraged by longer books, help them plan breakpoints, such as the end of a chapter or at a specific page number. For kids who tire from difficult reading, give them resources and reading strategies they can call upon, such as a bookmark listing ways to solve hard words.<\/p>\n

Bring out the cool tools. <\/strong>
\nKids love gear, and the right tool can be golden. For kids who like gadgets, let them be in charge of setting a watch or a timer. In the classroom, project a fun countdown on your wall, so kids know how close they are to their reading time goal. Or, use fun bookmarks to mark an end goal page. Offer a cozy pillow or special seat to be used only during reading time. Just make sure you talk about using items as tools without letting them become distractions.<\/p>\n

Always have the next book ready.<\/strong>
\nBuilding reading stamina isn\u2019t just about learning to read more challenging material and for longer amounts of time; it\u2019s about sticking with reading as a habit for the long haul. For this to happen, kids need continued access to books that feel satisfying to read. For new readers, this means having a supply of books that offer just the right amount of challenge. As kids progress, they are usually impressed by the length of books. Help them feel like they are reading lots and lots with a graphic novel<\/a> that moves quickly. For older students, a compelling novel in verse<\/a> often has less text per page, making it go at a gratifying pace. For all kids, finding a series<\/a> they enjoy is a huge win. Have the next installment waiting for non-stop reading!<\/p>\n

yes no Books perfect for building kids\u2019 reading stamina: 9780593113790 A Jack Book<\/i> Series https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/series\/JB1\/a-jack-book\/ by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Greg Pizzoli <\/p>\n

Early readers find these stories about a mischievous rabbit hilarious. Plus, there are plenty of titles to keep kids reading, with lots of repeated vocabulary and sentence structures to support their growing skills. <\/p>\n

9781524766719 Our Friend Hedgehog<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/555770\/our-friend-hedgehog-by-lauren-castillo\/ by Lauren Castillo <\/p>\n

This adorable title has short chapters and lots of illustrations to help new chapter book readers keep going. It\u2019s also perfect for a read-aloud and discussion about stamina and perseverance; the characters must keep at it to find a missing treasured stuffed animal.<\/p>\n

9781101996683 Girl Running <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/532468\/girl-running-by-annette-bay-pimentel-illustrated-by-micha-archer\/ by Annette Bay Pimentel, illustrated by Micha Archer <\/p>\n

There\u2019s no better context for learning about stamina than marathon training! Use this story to launch conversations about overcoming reading roadblocks, just like Bobbi Gibb didn\u2019t let any obstacle stop her from crossing the finish line. <\/p>\n

9781524773274 How to Solve a Problem<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/564542\/how-to-solve-a-problem-by-ashima-shiraishi-illustrated-by-yao-xiao\/ by Ashima Shiraishi, illustrated by Yao Xiao <\/p>\n

This autobiography of one of the most successful climbers in the world is full of examples to relate to kids\u2019 journeys towards better reading stamina. It\u2019s an excellent book to share when kids feel discouraged; Ashima Shiraishi learned from every fall she\u2019s taken, and kids can too. <\/p>\n

9781101918265 A Narwhal and Jelly Book<\/i> Series https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/series\/NJB\/a-narwhal-and-jelly-book\/ by Ben Clanton <\/p>\n

For early readers, these hilarious graphic novels about a pair of underwater pals ooze positivity (and, in the words of the main character, \u201cawesomeness\u201d). They feel as thick as a standard chapter book but read much more quickly, helping readers feel accomplished\u2014and motivated to read the next one in the series.<\/p>\n

9781984896766 Bug Boys<\/i> Series https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/series\/GBO\/bug-boys\/ by Laura Knetzger <\/p>\n

Rhino-B and Stag-B are beetle buddies who have one adventure after another together. The fun, comic-book-style illustrations, and minimal text will keep kids turning pages as they rack up reading time. <\/p>\n

9780593112205 We Belong <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/645848\/we-belong-by-cookie-hiponia-everman\/ by Cookie Hiponia Everman <\/p>\n

It\u2019s impossible to stop reading this mesmerizing novel in verse that combines Filipino mythology with an immigration story rooted in the author\u2019s childhood experiences. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Research shows that the amount of reading time and reading volume significantly impacts kids\u2019 reading success. These tips can help kids build their reading stamina.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":19717,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,47],"tags":[62,954],"coauthors":[1053],"class_list":["post-19715","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-tips-advice","tag-learning-to-read","tag-educators","ages_stages-growing-reader","ages_stages-tween"],"yoast_head":"\nTips and Tricks for Building Kids\u2019 Reading Stamina | Brightly<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Research shows that the amount of reading time and reading volume significantly impacts kids\u2019 reading success. 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