While the thought of scrolling through TikTok in bed appeals to me, lately I have been focusing on reading before bed. Overall, there are only positive outcomes when I read
The Atlantic
Homeroom: How to Teach Your Kid to Love Reading
One of my daughters can’t bear to put her book down. The other only wants to play dress-up.
ELENA XAUSA
Editor’s Note: Every Tuesday, Abby Freireich and Brian Platzer take questions from readers about their kids’ education. Have one? Email them at homeroom@theatlantic.com.
Dear Abby and Brian,
We have two daughters, one in fourth grade, the other in second. Our fourth grader, whom I’ll refer to as “Em,” loves reading. She stays up late to finish a chapter of whatever series she’s enjoying at the moment, and is always eager to search for the next installment online. Our second grader, “Tess,” is the opposite. She’s at the point now where she can sound out most words, but getting her to do the nightly reading assigned by her teacher is torture, and any time we suggest that she read by herself, she refuses. She’d rather play dress-up. I feel like we did right by her sister but failed her! How do we