Reading is an essential life skill for every child. Reading allows your children to learn new things, develop both socially and mentally, and communicate with others. The thing is that there are a lot of distractions from reading, which means that kids are less reluctant to pick up a book today. This is why it’s important to encourage your children to read as much as possible. The question is, how do you do it? Keep reading to find out!
Lead by example
As a parent, you need to lead by example – even when it comes to reading. If you spend all your time scrolling on your phone and watching TV, don’t be surprised if your kids are reluctant to pick up a book. Reading doesn’t need to become the way that you spend your time, but by simply making a conscious effort to read in front of your kids, you’ll be encouraging them to do the same.
Choose the right books
The next step is to get the right books for your kids. This means that they need to be age-appropriate and something that they’ll actually enjoy. If you’re not sure where to start, look books that have some of their favourite characters from other content. For example, there are some great free kids cartoons on YouTube with corresponding books. Furthermore, the characters in these shows will encourage your kids to read too!
Create a space for reading
Setting a small reading area is a great way to encourage your kids to read more. You don’t need anything flash, just a shelf with their favourite titles, good lighting, and some comfy seats. This helps kids to get in the right frame of mind to sit down and enjoy some of their favourite stories (and give you some peace and quiet in the process).
Have lots of books in your home
Children are curious and are always investigating their surroundings. Having lots of books in your house will mean eventually, even if simply from boredom, your kids will take books from the shelf and start flicking through them. If you have interesting books and/or ones with pictures, these are sure to capture their interest.
Read aloud to your kids
Reading aloud is a great way to bond and share a story with your kids. Plus, it’s a fun way to get them to fall in love with books. The important thing is to not take yourself too seriously and enjoy yourself. Do the voices, accentuate the drama, and your kids are sure to have as much fun as you do.
Final Thoughts
By following our tips here, encouraging your kids to read more won’t be as hard as you thought. So long as you lead by example, have fun, and pick the right books, you can’t go wrong!
