How Much Should a Teen Read?

Reading is very good for teens, as well as for adults. When teens read, they can learn about any subject at all that they choose, as well as get ideas for how to handle certain situations. For example, in teen novels, the characters may be facing similar problems and situations as your teen and reading about how a character deals with these issues may give your teen new ideas for how to handle things in a positive way. Reading can also be a good escape when your teen is going through a rough time, and it might spark interest in new hobbies or causes.

  1. How Much Should Teens Read

    • The short answer is -- as much as possible. There is no set amount of time that is good for every teen, but generally speaking, the more reading, the better. As long as your teen is keeping up with his schoolwork and is not holed up in his room constantly, ignoring family and friends for days on end in favor of a book, there is nothing to worry about.

    How to Handle Teen Readers

    • Reading Is Fundamental has some suggestions for how parents should react to kids reading. While a bit of praise is fine, do not make a huge deal out of it if you catch your teen -- whom you've never seen pick up a book before -- devouring the mystery you left on the coffee table. You may end up scaring her off or awakening that teen desire to not do something your mom thinks is cool. If your teen is reading something you don't approve of, read it yourself so you can really have an accurate picture of what it's about, and then explain to your teen exactly what you find offensive about it, without anger or forbidding your teen to read it, if at all possible. Also, don't criticize your teen's choice in books. The important thing is that she's reading. Does it really matter if she's poring over a graphic novel or a book you equate to junk food for the brain?

    Ways to Encourage Reading

    • Bring your teen to the library with you. When you will be going on long trips together, get audiobooks for the car ride. Buy your teen gift certificates to bookstores or an e-book reader to encourage reading. When movies come out based on books, encourage your teen to read the book first, but don't force the issue.

    Set a Good Example

    • If you want your teen to see reading as enjoyable and worthwhile, it helps if you set that example, reminds ILoveLibraries.org. Let your teen see you reading as much as possible. Go to bookstores and libraries together, and ask your teen if she'd like to join a book club with you, or even just occasionally read the same book and discuss it.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • What Can a Teen Use to Shave Facial Hair?
      Adolescent males begin to grow facial hair at different points throughout puberty. Some develop peach fuzz on their chins as early as age 15, while others have a coarse beard just a few short years later. Teenage boys sprout dark, thick facial hair d
    • How to Help Your Teen Cope With the Death of a Relative
      The teenage years are already a difficult, emotionally laden time period. Dealing with feelings of grief over the death of a relative who might have had a significant impact on their development can feel unbearable to many teens. Its natural to want
    • Making Teen Boys Do Their Homework
      Every evening when your son comes home, the peace is swept out of the house. Arguments over homework can leave parents and teens alike feeling exhausted and angry. Parents may need to adjust their tactics when it comes to getting a teenage boy to cra