It seems reading is becoming a lost art nowadays.
As majority of kids get drawn to modern distractions such as video games and mobile devices, lesser and lesser of them count reading as one of their favorite past-times.
This, of course, is alarming considering the fact that good readers usually perform better in school and in life.
Well-known author Mark Twain summed it up best when he once declared that a man who does not read “is no better than the man who can’t.”
As a parent, one of your biggest responsibilities is to encourage your kids to develop the habit of reading. This is definitely not an easy feat but by investing time and effort, you will be on your way to raising a book-loving son or daughter.
Here are 8 practical tips you should keep in mind:
- Read with them
Ideally, you should start reading to your kids really early. Read aloud to them while they are young and the chances are they’ll grow up with a great love for it.
- Make books easily accessible
It is likewise important to make reading materials easily accessible for children. Placing books on high cabinets is never a good idea. Kids should be able to choose or pick up any book they want at any given time.
- Give them age-appropriate books
When buying books, look at the labels to find out which ones are appropriate for your child. A book that’s too wordy will be uninteresting for a young reader. Also, consider getting board books for babies.
- Let them choose
During reading time, let your child pick what book he or she wants to read. When visiting book stores, allow him or her to choose what to purchase. You don’t even have to limit it to books either. If your child is into comics or kiddie magazines, then support that by all means.
- Talk about it
Take the time to talk with your child about what you’ve just read together. Have a simple discussion about it. Ask questions and be ready to explain certain points of the story. Help your child with difficult words.
- Set a regular time for reading
Having a specific time for reading will motivate your child to keep at it. Most parents would recommend doing it just before bedtime but you know your child better. You could pick a different schedule if that isn’t working for you.
- Be an example
Ultimately, nothing inspires a kid better than his or her parents’ example. If they see how much you enjoy reading, they will follow your lead.
- Have fun
Reading doesn’t have to be boring. Try using different voices for different characters. Play games together. Let your child identify colors or animals. Look for rhyming words. The main point here is to engage your child so that it becomes a fun experience for him or her.
By following these tips, you’ll see that it is still very possible for kids these days to develop a love for reading.
