Using the Newspaper as a Learning Experience

The newspaper can be as important to your child as it is to you. There are many ways you can initiate your son or daughter's interest by using a variety of creative approaches.

Try these suggestions to foster your child's interest in the newspaper:

Use the newspaper to develop life skills. Have your child add and subtract coupons, read about faraway places, etc.

Use the newspaper to develop "thinking" skills.For example, if your child has a sports hero, help him read the "Sports" section to see how his or her "hero" is doing.

Use the newspaper to motivate your child. For example, if your child has a high interest in movies, have him or her read about new and upcoming movies. Or use the classifieds in a creative way - "If you want that puppy (pet) for your birthday, then let's look in the newspaper for one."

Use the newspaper to create a reading time for the whole family. Enjoy quality family time by reading the newspaper together. Become a role model by consistently reading the newspaper during this time. If your child sees you reading the newspaper, he or she will be motivated to do the same.

Use specialty newspapers. There are a variety of newspapers designed for children who are not quite old enough to comprehend an "adult" newspaper. The same is true for magazines.

Newspapers can instill responsibility. A young child could be responsible for bringing in the newspaper and distributing the sections among family members. An older child could pursue a first job as a newspaper delivery person.