Literacy is such an important part of the curriculum, yet reading is worthwhile for many reasons beyond school. Studies have shown that children who read for pleasure tend to have better mental health. What’s more, reading allows our children to learn how to be creative and empathetic. Reading can introduce our children to characters and situations that they wouldn’t usually meet and help them to build up emotional resilience.
Some children take to reading right away, while others need a little boost. To encourage a love of reading in your child, try the following ideas.
- Library Trips
Regular trips to the library are a great way to encourage a love of reading. It’s a good idea to take your children to any activities at the library and help them to discover which books they enjoy. Allow them to invite their friends and talk about going to the library as a fun-filled experience. Help them to practice using a library card, and chat with the librarian. Share stories about the kid’s books you love, and explain that reading is the key to knowledge.
2 . Try Audiobooks
Children’s audiobooks are incredibly versatile; you can take them in the car, or let your child listen at home. Audiobooks are particularly helpful for those times when your child is tired, and isn’t keen to read a book themselves. Many audiobooks are packed with cute songs and engaging sound effects to make the experience that little bit more fun! If your child is struggling to enjoy reading, an audiobook is a great way to motivate them.
- Try Games
Kids learn better through play, and so it can be helpful to create a few games that are based around books. You could dress up as book characters? Or create a book-based treasure hunt? Look out for board games based on books, and try downloading story themed apps.
- A Young Age
It’s a fab idea to read to your child often, and you can start doing this when they are just a baby. When you read to your child early on, this does wonders for their language skills and development. Some studies have indicated that children who are read to from a young age are actually more likely to grow up creative! The earlier you teach your children about the magic of reading, the better.
- Create A Reading Corner
Last up, give your children a beautiful space to read. Use soft armchairs, floor cushions and a cute kid-friendly bookshelf. Hang up pictures of their favorite characters and store their book-themed games here too. When you’ve got the perfect place to relax with a book, the experience is far more enjoyable.
When you are choosing books for your kids, it’s important to consider any specific needs they have, whether it’s books for kids with dyslexia or the best books for autistic children. Once your child has gotten into the swing of reading for pleasure, they’ll never look back!
