Reading is one of the most accessible and affordable arts activities and its benefits are well documented. Aside from the sheer joy of exercising the imagination, research shows reading for pleasure improves literacy, social skills, health, and learning outcomes.

Keeping children reading during the tween years, from around ages 9 to 12, can be a challenge. Knowing their interests and providing a range of reading material will help keep their enjoyment of reading alive.

Spark Your Tween's Interest in Reading

Try these strategies to keep your busy pre-teen turning the pages.

Join the club. Tweens are very social. Mother-daughter or father-son book clubs are a great way to get kids to read and to talk about books. 

Read together. Get your own copy of novels your child is reading for school or even for pleasure. Reading together also gives you something to talk about.

Read anytime, anywhere. Your child doesn't have to sit with a book to read for pleasure. Kids this age are interested in activities like cooking, so find interesting cookbooks and recipes, then read and cook together. And of course there's the Internet! Your child can find lots to read (especially material for research) online. Sites for museums and arts institutions are usually good, safe places for kids to visit.

Offer magazines and more. Weekly news magazines, the sports page, and other periodicals provide great content and context for reading for pleasure and information. There are many good magazines written just for kids. 

Encourage freedom. Teens and tweens like to make their own selections. As feasible, let your child choose there own books from the library and for purchase.