Though getting kids to read might not be! Here are some tips for inspiring children to read, courtesy of guest poster Heather Johnson, who frequently writes on the subject of grants for nursing colleges. She welcomes your comments at heatherjohnson2323@gmail.com. 

It can be a daunting task to get your children to read this summer after wrapping up another school year. Chances are your son or daughter will resist jumping right into their summer reading lists but there are definitely ways you can inspire them to read this summer. You have to be creative in order to make summer reading not seem like a punishment. If your child is being a little too resistant then you should consider these tips to make reading this summer something your children will look forward to:1. Create a reward. Don’t go overboard, but set up some sort of threshold that, if reached, will result in a reward for your child. If your child reads three books then he or she can pick a destination for a day trip. If they reach five books then they get to choose dinner for a week. Spice it up and create other rewards that will spark their interest in reading.2. Read in the car. Before going on a long drive pick up some books on tape that the whole family can listen to. While you’re driving, your child can follow along with the audio in the book. Research indicates that young children improve their comprehension skills when books are read out loud to them even up to the age of 15 or so.3. Designate a reading hour. Come up with a time, in collaboration with your children that will be the reading hour. They may scoff at this suggestion at first but you have to be firm with them. Indicate that if they don’t read during this allotted time then other things they want to do will be restricted. An hour a day will create a regimen that will produce results.4. Modeling will breed success. Read in front of your children and they’ll catch on that reading is important. They hear all day during the school year that reading is important from their teachers but one of the ways that this point will be hammered home is if they see you reading. If you go to the beach bring a book and read before you go swimming or do anything else. Your children will follow suit.5. Go to the library or bookstore and leave the choice up to your children. Your kids will gravitate to reading more so if they are allowed to make their own selections. Give them the money and they can go up to the checkout counter and they can make the purchase themselves. This will make them feel in control of their reading and they will take ownership in the process.