Question: How do I help my children get interested in reading the newspaper? - Worried
Answer: Make reading the newspaper fun by creating a scavenger hunt that will help acquaint them with all the information they can find in the newspaper. Older children can race against the clock or their parents, and younger children and their parents can do some of the activities together. Have your children hunt through a newspaper to find the items listed below:
- the index
- a favorite comic strip
- a movie to see
- something good to eat
- the cost of the paper
- tomorrow's weather
- the last or closing price of a stock
- the score of a Major League Baseball game
- the best TV program to watch at 5p.m.
- a letter to the editor
- something that makes you frown
- something that makes you smile
- a picture of a public official
- a local news story
- a chart or graph
- a story on health
- an ad for a dog
- something to drive
- a quote
- a crossword or word puzzle
- an advice column
- a headline from a story that is good news
- a picture of someone you'd like to meet
- a story about another state
- something funny that is not on the comics page
When your older children have completed the activity, have them classify the found items into sections, like: world news, local news, sports and entertainment. Extend the activity for younger children by having them circle all the smiling faces on the comics pages. Then read a few of the comics to them.
Try to make enjoying the paper together a daily ritual. The more your children learn about the newspaper, the more they will enjoy it and use it for their schoolwork.