If you have been a good reader all your life, you would probably want that for your children. But when you see your children opting for a silly video on YouTube or preferring to play video games instead of grabbing the next Hardy Boys, Nancy drew or even an Enid Blyton book, you know you might have to intervene. Here are 5 tips that might help in the development of reading habit in children:
The importance of reading can’t be stressed enough. We all know that reading does not only increase the child’s vocabulary but also expands their knowledge. It enhances their imagination and even makes them good listeners but needless to say the digital world is giving the old school habit of reading some serious competition. However, all is not lost if you make reading a fun activity for kids.
Here are 5 ways to encourage the reading habit in your child:
- Be a Role Model
A child will always grow fond of taking up an activity which they see at home. If you read in front of them and share stories of what you read to them, they will grow to be fond of books too as they will watch how much joy and happiness you derive from reading books.
- Set up a reading corner
Children are often fascinated by their surroundings. Setting up a cosy, full of books nook could encourage them to keep coming back to their nook to read. You could also set up a fortress by putting a blanket on two chairs which would fascinate them enough too. The more creative their surrounding the more they would look forward to read in their creative nook.
- Help bring books to life
When kids see what they read in actual life that helps them get a clear picture in their head. For example, if your child reads a book on the ugly duckling, you could take them to a zoo and they could actually see a duck and the beautiful swan in real life. This extends their reading experience.
- Read the book and then watch the movie
You can always give an incentive to your child to watch a movie on the book they read. For example, if your child has read a book on Cinderella, you could set up a movie night and watch the movie together. It’s a great way to motivate reluctant readers.
- Read-a-Loud
“Reading aloud is both educational and social, so there are layers of value there,” Plus, children learn to read best—and to love it most—when they hear countless stories over many years in a meaningful context (think cuddling on a parent’s lap). Listening also gives tired readers a break. So, keep reading aloud once in a while and encourage your child to do the same.
A child’s reading skills are important to their success in school as they will allow them to access the breadth of the curriculum and improve their communication and language skills. In addition, reading can be a fun and imaginative time for children, which opens doors to all kinds of new worlds for them.