For the past 3 years, I (Missy) have been trying to get the Bonus Kids addicted to reading like I was as a child. It is quite a difficult challenge when you have to compete against other reinforcers such as television, iPads, and DS-es.
Reinforcement Works!
I thought I had tried everything. But then, I remembered that I am a behavior analyst. Hello! As behavior analysts, we change behaviors.
In this scenario, I did not need to teach the girls to read, their teachers had already done that. I wanted them to want to read. I needed to make reading reinforcing. How do you do that? You read a darn good story and get them hooked on it. We started with The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. (You can read my review here). It was a hit. Our night-time reading ritual took off!
Then, we started “Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret“. The girls begged me to read each night (instead of begging for television!). I have to admit, I found the book challenging at times. For example, I tried to ad lib over the part about Playboy but Beanie was reading over my shoulder and caught me. “That’s not what it says!” Then she wanted to know, “What is Playboy?” How is that for a bed time conversation?
We definitely had a cool moment when we came across the daily exercise and chant, “We must, we must…..” When Baby Cakes told her Nana about it, Nana finished the chant before Baby Cakes could! Baby Cakes was shocked that Nana knew The Chant! (You see, that is what is so amazing about Judy Blume. She writes timeless stories. Events in her book resonated across 3 generations of women. We were 3/4 of the way through the book when Beanie asked, “When was this book written? Margaret hasn’t talked about her iTouch or iPad.”)
As I read the final pages of the book, I got choked up when I came to the phrase, “I GOT IT!”. I looked up and Beanie was wiping away a few glistening tears. Thank you Judy Blume for helping me love books and for helping my Bonus Girls begin to love them too.
Most Reinforcing Books for Children?
So, now I need help from our readers. Please share some of the titles of the most reinforcing books for children. I need to grow our “To Read” list so that I can keep those reinforcers coming.
We are linking up again this week over at yeah write. We prefer to hang out. Hop on over there and check out the other blogs. If you are up for a challenge, you should also check out the challenge grid. Don’t forget to vote on the challenge grid on Thursday.
Applied Behavioral Strategies 
I never needed any reinforcement to read. I was actually told I needed to stop reading and “go outside.” (I did. I read outside.)
However, here are some of my favorite books as a kid:
“The Westing Game” by Ellen Raskin (Great mystery book)
“The Man in the Ceiling” by Jules Feiffer (Great book for creative souls, more of a graphic novel)
“The House of Dies Drear” by Virginia Hamilton (Another wonderful mystery book)
What these books all have in common is the lack of the soul-crushing ending that often accompanies children’s lit (“Bridge to Terabithia,” I’m looking at you.)
I was also in love with the Ramona Quimby books, but they might be too young if you are already reading “Are you there, God.” (which I read over and over again.)
Good luck!
Thank you! I do not recall reading the books you listed. I will get on it. I, like you, found books reinforcing in and of themselves.
We have already read all the Ramona books. They enjoyed those but not like they have these last two. With these last two, we also made it a ritual and I think that helped.
So great to remember all the wonderful books I loved as a child. I’m a mystery fan… Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and Encyclopedia Brown were high on my list back then. I am forming a plan to introduce my 7 yo to these this summer. The digital devices seem to be more inviting, but like you said, making it more attractive by reading together just might work for him. Thx!
Oh, I LOVED Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon! I read them myself but by then, I was already hooked. I forgot about Encyclopedia. I liked him too!
Thanks so much for stopping by! Happy reading!
“Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret” is my ALL time favorite book!!!! Judy Blume is a master story teller and you don’t need much motivation to read her books.
Thanks for stopping by! And yes, Judy Blume is truly the best!
I love that you read books with your bonus kids! Oh it’s been so long since I read those books, but I loved Judy Blume so much.
I remember also really liking the Baby Sitter’s Club series, but can’t remember any of the stories individually.
You are a super great Mom. 🙂
Hi Dawn, thanks for stopping by. The reading gives us some good bonding time. Additionally, if we pick good topics, it can also foster great conversations.
Thanks again for checking us out!
The Outsiders – I read it at least a dozen times when I was 12.
A Wrinkle in Time – Loved them all
Wizard of Earthsea – Great intro to fantasy
All Judy Blume, obviously.
Requiem for a Princess and Daddy-Long-Legs. Both stories about adoption – albeit very, very different.
So many more!
I loved the Outsiders but I have not read a Wrinkle in Time. I will definitely check it out. Thanks so much!
A great post! I’ve been working through the “Superfudge” series with a learner who has a particular aversion to reading. He loves them! Lot’s of laughs.
Thanks for taking the time to write Zach! funny that you mention Superfudge, we just bought the first one. Beanie has been reading it while I have been away and I cannot wait to see if she likes it.
How is the race preparation going?