Reading has been a cornerstone of human civilization for thousands of years. Without it, we would not be where we are today. How else would someone in pre-technology times pass on their thoughts, knowledge and valuable life lessons onto the next generation? Perhaps it was educational content meant to teach people the lessons the author had learned throughout life. Maybe it was a high-intensity fiction novel that immersed its reader in a fantastical world. Even things such as comics and manga can pass on great stories and lessons to those who choose to read them.
We talked in a recent article about how much reading to your child can impact their development, so now we’re going to discuss actually teaching them how to love reading on their own.
Reading is one of the most important skills any person (especially children) can learn, and instilling a love of reading early on will make an impact on their academic and personal success that cannot be measured. However, in today’s world of digital distractions and shortened attention spans, getting children to become bookworm is an undeniable challenge. How do we get them to be excited about reading words when pictures, sounds and video can be so much more addicting? As a parent, you can play a crucial role in helping your kiddo develop a love for reading. Today, we’re going to go through some tips on how to do so.
Tip #1: Start Early and Read to Them
It’s never too early to start reading to your child. Even babies can benefit from being read to, as it helps them develop language skills and introduces books into their world. As your child grows older, make reading a regular part of your daily routine. Set aside some time each day to read together, and make it a special and enjoyable experience.
Children crave a positive relationship with their parents, so setting aside the time to read and bond with them will always end up a positive experience. Your kiddo will be gleeful and excited whenever reading time comes around, and this can easily be transitioned into a love for reading on their own. Once they are old enough to do so, that is.
Tip #2: Make It Fun
Children are more likely to enjoy reading if it’s presented in a fun and engaging way. Choose books that are age-appropriate and interesting to your child, and consider adding in some interactive elements, such as asking questions or doing voices for the characters. Encourage your child to act out scenes or draw pictures of what they imagine as you read.
Also, make sure that you’re as interested in it as they are! Kids have pretty sharp intuitions, and its going to be obvious to them if you’re not enjoying reading time as much as they are. This can have the opposite effect from what we’re hoping for, since children will start to associate reading with Mom or Dad being upset. That will go a long way to pushing your child away from reading as they get older.
Tip #3: Lead by Example
Children will always do as you do, not as you say. That is a point that we hammer home in many of our articles. I have parents ask me all the time why their kids are glued to their phones. When I ask them how often they spend on their phones while their child is around, I usually get a very negative response (because no parent wants to feel they are part of the problem).
If you like reading, and your child sees you reading on your own, they’re going to want to do so as well. Children are wired to bond with their parents and mimic their parents, so something as simple as leading by example can have a bigger impact than you might imagine. I even recall in my youth that I read more when I was younger and exposed to more people that read as a hobby, such as my grandparents. When I got older and was around less adults who read in their free time, my reading habit slowly died down until it was nonexistent (at least until I was an adult).
Have your children around positive, book-loving adults and they will naturally pick up the desire to read as well!
Tip #4: Create a Reading Nook
Create a cozy reading nook in your home where your child can curl up with a good book. This could be a special chair or a cozy corner of their bedroom. Make sure it’s well-lit and stocked with plenty of age-appropriate books and magazines. Consider adding some comfy pillows and blankets to make it extra inviting.
This may sounds silly to certain people, but think about how much kids love to build things like forts? Any time they can make their environment match their imagination, they are usually having a blast. The ‘nook’ setup will also incentivize them to read every time they see it, so putting it somewhere that they see often can really help up the amount of time that they decide to spend with a book.
Tip #5: Visit the Library
Make regular trips to your local library or bookstore and have your child explore the shelves and choose books that interests them. Oftentimes, a child will be much more engaged in reading if they are more involved in the process of buying the book or going to the library with you. Many libraries also offer story time or reading programs for children, which can be a great way to make new friends and discover new books.
This can be especially helpful because oftentimes in school, we are made to read books we don’t really have any particular interest in (textbooks or otherwise). This can create an aversion to reading unless we are able to instill in them that there are also good and fun books to read. That was a saving grace for me when I was growing up, and I know it can help many other kids avoid the ‘fear’ of reading as they get into their teenage and aduly years.
Tip #6: Reading on the Go
Encourage your child to read wherever they go by keeping a book or e-reader handy. This could be in the car, at a hotel, or on a plane. Reading can be a great way to pass the time and keep your child entertained and engaged. This habit is especially helpful as they get older and start to travel to more places on their own. Going to a friends house for a sleepover? Going to stay with their grandparents for an extended period of time? Planning to go to a week-long or month-long camp for the summer? These are all places where they can continue their habit of reading, rather than simply making it a part of their at-home routine.
In fact, many kids will find that “on-the-go” is their preferred time to read. I was a big video game kid, but I would inevitably have to charge my Gameboy or end up in a situation where it wasn’t convenient to be playing a game (like the beach, where sand could potentially break it). I learned really early on that bringing a book was always a good plan, and it kept me reading even during times in my life where I wasn’t as interested.
Tip #7: Reward Reading and Celebrate Success
Celebrate your child’s reading successes by praising them and acknowledging their achievements. This could be as simple as giving them a high-five or a hug, or creating a special display of their favorite books in their room. Maybe consider offering rewards or incentives for reading, like a special treat or activity once a certain number of books have been read.
While we have to be careful – since we don’t want them to expect a treat every time they pick up a book – this can be a really helpful tactic. This is especially true if your child is at the beginning of their reading journey, or if they’ve had a negative experience in the past with reading. Over time, getting a reward can help them associate a positive emotion with reading again, and then you can circle back to the tips that we discussed above.
Exercise For The Mind
Helping your child become a bookworm is an investment in their future. Even in today’s technology-filled world, books are still one the of the most effective means of learning new information about any skill. Sure, the internet has many of the same answers, but it also has a lot of misinformation as well because of how easy it is for someone to post their thoughts and opinions. While books can still be inaccurate, the likelihood is much lower because of how much time goes into actually writing and publishing a book.
A child who invests time into reading from a young age is going to have an advantage as they get older. Reading is an essential skill for getting through college, excelling in a career, and personal development. By following through on the tips above and teaching your child how to enjoy growing their brains, you will be setting them up for a future where they can reach their potential and achieve their dreams.