--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think the main thing that we can do as…" description: "\"I think the main thing that we can do as adults helping young people to find the joy in reading, whether we're parents or caregivers or educators, is t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/764/emma-walton-hamilton-14666_adults_i-think-the-main-thing-that-we-can-do-as_2626698.jpg" --- # I think the main thing that we can do as adults helping… ![“I think the main thing that we can do as adults helping young people to find the joy in reading, whether we're parents or caregivers or educators, is to come at that subliminally as much as possible and not to make it an issue. The key is to know the individual child and get them materials to read…” quote by Emma Walton Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/764/emma-walton-hamilton-14666_adults_i-think-the-main-thing-that-we-can-do-as_2626698.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/764/emma-walton-hamilton-14666_adults_i-think-the-main-thing-that-we-can-do-as_2626698.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/764/emma-walton-hamilton-14666_adults_i-think-the-main-thing-that-we-can-do-as_2626698.jpg) > “I think the main thing that we can do as adults helping young people to find the joy in reading, whether we're parents or caregivers or educators, is to come at that subliminally as much as possible and not to make it an issue. The key is to know the individual child and get them materials to read that's going to speak to them best.” [Emma Walton Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-walton-hamilton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Adults should subtly nurture children's love for reading by personalizing material and avoiding pressure. **In simple terms:** Tailor books to each child, keep reading fun. Key Takeaway Find books that speak to each child. Themes reading personalization child development Mood encouraging thoughtful Type advice educational When to use this quote - parent‑teacher meetings - library programs - home reading time - school curricula Key Concepts education motivation literacy Questions to Reflect On - How can you discover a child's interests without pressuring them? - What signs show a child is genuinely engaged? A Different Perspective If children feel forced, they may resist reading altogether. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adults](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adults/) [Caregivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caregivers/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Educator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/educator/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Issues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/issues/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parent/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Young people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-people/) ## Related quotes > [I was a late bloomer when it came to reading. My parents didn't really read. Neither one of my parents went to college. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-zauner/i-was-a-late-bloomer-when-it-came-to-reading-my-parents-didn-t-really/) [Michelle Zauner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-zauner/) > [I remember being taught to read at a very early age. Like creepy young. I remember being in the crib, reading. My parents were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-j-abrams/i-remember-being-taught-to-read-at-a-very-early-age-like-creepy-young/) [J. J. Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-j-abrams/) > [Whatever our bedtime was as kids, we could stay up an extra half hour if we were reading. My parents didn't care as long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-fillion/whatever-our-bedtime-was-as-kids-we-could-stay-up-an-extra-half-hour/) [Nathan Fillion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-fillion/) > [From my own experience, I know how important reading together can be for parents and children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camilla-duchess-of-cornwall/from-my-own-experience-i-know-how-important-reading-together-can-be/) [Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camilla-duchess-of-cornwall/) > [“A mind is a terrible thing to waste, Share the joy of reading with all you meet. Both young and Old. Especially the children.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-mind-is-a-terrible-thing-to-waste-share-the-joy-of-reading-with-all/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'd like for the young people, and older ones, too, who don't count themselves as readers, to know the joy of reading and what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/i-d-like-for-the-young-people-and-older-ones-too-who-don-t-count/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [Our hope is that the elementary reading of comics will lead to the joy of reading good books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/our-hope-is-that-the-elementary-reading-of-comics-will-lead-to-the/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [The joy of reading with our children doesn't stop as they, and we, get older; it simply changes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kropp/the-joy-of-reading-with-our-children-doesn-t-stop-as-they-and-we-get/) Paul Kropp > [I want other kids to see the joy in reading and literacy and how, if you read about things, they become so much closer,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marley-dias/i-want-other-kids-to-see-the-joy-in-reading-and-literacy-and-how-if/) [Marley Dias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marley-dias/) > [“Read to a child today so they can discover the joy of reading.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-menendez/read-to-a-child-today-so-they-can-discover-the-joy-of-reading/) Irene Menendez > [“The joy of reading is grace of renewal of mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-joy-of-reading-is-grace-of-renewal-of-mind/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [I always thought the joy of reading a book is not knowing what happens next. (Leonard Shelby, Memento)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-nolan/i-always-thought-the-joy-of-reading-a-book-is-not-knowing-what/) [Christopher Nolan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-nolan/) > [“Well, whatever you and Nancy decide to be when you grow up, I know that you'll be happy because you have discovered the comfort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-macdonald/well-whatever-you-and-nancy-decide-to-be-when-you-grow-up-i-know-that/) [Betty MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-macdonald/) > [“Once you learn the joy of reading a whole world of discovery opens up and you'll never look back”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-reynolds/once-you-learn-the-joy-of-reading-a-whole-world-of-discovery-opens-up/) Toby Reynolds > [The highest earthly enjoyments are but a shadow of the joy I find in reading God's Word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-jane-grey/the-highest-earthly-enjoyments-are-but-a-shadow-of-the-joy-i-find-in/) [Lady Jane Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-jane-grey/) ## More by Emma Walton Hamilton > [I think you have to have a personal connection, and that's what I am always looking to try to create: a personal way in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-walton-hamilton/i-think-you-have-to-have-a-personal-connection-and-that-s-what-i-am/) [Emma Walton Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-walton-hamilton/) > [Stereotypes have their roots in truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-walton-hamilton/stereotypes-have-their-roots-in-truth/) [Emma Walton Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-walton-hamilton/) > [Dramatic reading and writing for kids can open a window to individuality and to expression that nothing else does, because all of a sudden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-walton-hamilton/dramatic-reading-and-writing-for-kids-can-open-a-window-to/) [Emma Walton Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-walton-hamilton/) > [I was able to hide a lot behind 'Walton,' and found that to be quite useful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-walton-hamilton/i-was-able-to-hide-a-lot-behind-walton-and-found-that-to-be-quite/) [Emma Walton Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-walton-hamilton/) > [So often we think, well, kids learn to read at school, I don't have to be responsible for that. But in fact they learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-walton-hamilton/so-often-we-think-well-kids-learn-to-read-at-school-i-don-t-have-to/) [Emma Walton Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-walton-hamilton/) > [And for me I think I was originally a theater person, a producer/director/actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-walton-hamilton/and-for-me-i-think-i-was-originally-a-theater-person-a-producer/) [Emma Walton Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-walton-hamilton/) > [I am passionate about reading, for myself and for kids. Our future as a compassionate, productive, healthy society is rooted in our continuing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-walton-hamilton/i-am-passionate-about-reading-for-myself-and-for-kids-our-future-as-a/) [Emma Walton Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-walton-hamilton/) > [Netflix is so amazing because they take chances. They'll take a risk, be edgy, be quirky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-walton-hamilton/netflix-is-so-amazing-because-they-take-chances-they-ll-take-a-risk/) [Emma Walton Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-walton-hamilton/) > [The arts give kids the building blocks with which to then play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-walton-hamilton/the-arts-give-kids-the-building-blocks-with-which-to-then-play/) [Emma Walton Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-walton-hamilton/) > [Graphic novels might really speak to one child who's struggling with the other kinds of reading and might help them discover that storytelling is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-walton-hamilton/graphic-novels-might-really-speak-to-one-child-who-s-struggling-with/) [Emma Walton Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-walton-hamilton/) > [We're both very passionate about the arts. Mom, of course with her arts background. I have a theater background and work with children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-walton-hamilton/we-re-both-very-passionate-about-the-arts-mom-of-course-with-her-arts/) [Emma Walton Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-walton-hamilton/) > [My mother used to say, "Tell your brain you want that piece of information or you want to solve this problem, and then just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-walton-hamilton/my-mother-used-to-say-tell-your-brain-you-want-that-piece-of/) [Emma Walton Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-walton-hamilton/) > [If you wait until you're an adult to be exposed to the arts, it could seem elitist, it could seem out of reach, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-walton-hamilton/if-you-wait-until-you-re-an-adult-to-be-exposed-to-the-arts-it-could/) [Emma Walton Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-walton-hamilton/) > [I think that children who read are better writers, and children who tell stories appreciate books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-walton-hamilton/i-think-that-children-who-read-are-better-writers-and-children-who/) [Emma Walton Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-walton-hamilton/) > [I think I personally, as a writer, read differently knowing how tough it is to write, knowing how challenging it is to articulate it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-walton-hamilton/i-think-i-personally-as-a-writer-read-differently-knowing-how-tough/) [Emma Walton Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-walton-hamilton/) [Explore all 45 Emma Walton Hamilton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-walton-hamilton/) ## More Adults quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [Plainly, the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for his mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/plainly-the-environment-must-be-a-living-one-directed-by-a-higher/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [Almost everywhere we find . . . the use of various coercive measures, to rid ourselves as quickly as possible of the child withinus--i.e.,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/almost-everywhere-we-find-the-use-of-various-coercive-measures-to-rid/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [Education, for most people, means trying to lead the child to resemble the typical adult of his society . . . but for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-piaget/education-for-most-people-means-trying-to-lead-the-child-to-resemble/) [Jean Piaget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-piaget/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance”: “The differences between expert performers and normal adults are not immutable, that is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-anders-ericsson/the-role-of-deliberate-practice-in-the-acquisition-of-expert/) K. Anders Ericsson > [Part of life is doing stuff that you don't want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/one-who-does-not-wish-to-be-named/part-of-life-is-doing-stuff-that-you-don-t-want-to-do/) One Who Does Not Wish To Be Named > [ He \[an earnest young reporter\] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-share-the-view-of-many/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [Kids, if anything, are harder to write for because they are a more discerning audience. They will not stay with you if you go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/kids-if-anything-are-harder-to-write-for-because-they-are-a-more/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [On the one hand, we had great filmic spectacles that brought in big audiences, adults as well as primary and secondary school students. On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-wajda/on-the-one-hand-we-had-great-filmic-spectacles-that-brought-in-big/) [Andrzej Wajda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-wajda/) > [It's hard to change adults, and it's hard to change it from a political position or a perceived political position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/it-s-hard-to-change-adults-and-it-s-hard-to-change-it-from-a/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [When I was a child at sixteen, I was just a child. All sixteen year-olds are just children. As much as we like them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/when-i-was-a-child-at-sixteen-i-was-just-a-child-all-sixteen-year/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) [Browse all 3,113 Adults quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adults/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think the main thing that we can do as adults helping young people to find the joy in reading, whether we're parents or caregivers or educators, is to come at that subliminally as much as possible and not to make it an issue. 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