When kids love to read, the experience enriches their lifestyle. Studies have indicated that reading for fun is a great way to improve mental health. If you’re keen to encourage a love of reading for your children, there are plenty of things that you can do. Here are a few key ideas to help you on this journey.
1 . Make reading fun
If you want to bring up children who love reading, you’ve got to make the reading experience fun. When you read to your children, try to make it as engaging as possible. You might use character voices, or encourage your kids to act out the story with you? Puppets are a great prop for storytelling, (especially if your kids are still little). Try new things from podcasts to audiobooks, there are lots of different reading-based options.
2. Focus on your child’s interests
When you’re choosing books for your children, you should focus on their interests. Finding books that they’ll love will help them to develop a love of reading. Ask your children what kind of books they like, then help to pick these out at the bookstore or in the library.
As well as interests, choose books that focus on different cultures. Reading about characters from different countries and backgrounds helps kids to develop empathy, and a better understanding of the world they live in.
3. Write fun stories together
Reading and writing activities complement each other, and creating stories together can be lots of fun. You can write stories, draw them, or act them out. It’s a great way to improve your child’s vocab skills and writing confidence. If you prefer, you can try children’s storytelling games. Here are a few examples you might like to try:
Storymatic Kids Cards
Tall Tales Storytelling Board Game
Rory’s Story Cubes
4. Check out relevant kids' museums
Plenty of museums will offer story and literature-themed exhibitions. Taking your kids to places like this can be a great way to learn new things. Educational trips are a fantastic way to improve your child’s learning journey. As well as kid’s museums you might try children's workshops? There are so many different learning tools and experiences that you can offer your children.
5. Try a few apps
Literacy apps are a fantastic tool to help your kids make progress. If you’re keen to find some great resources, these will come in handy:
Learn & Grow:
The Homer Learn & Grow app is a great resource to teach reading, math, and social-emotional learning. It’s also a good place to practice thinking skills and creativity. Here you’ll get access to plenty of songs, stories, and games, to help your child learn.
Bob’s Reading Magic 1:
Another great app to help kids with reading, Bob’s Reading Magic characters make the learning experience plenty of fun. Using this app kids can practice early phonics skills. With the right tech tools for kids, you’ll give your children a head start.
6. Plenty of praise
When you’re teaching your kids how to read you must give them plenty of praise. It’s particularly important if your child struggles a little with reading. The focus should be on the effort, above grades achieved. You might praise your child using positive language, stickers, and prizes, or a combination of both. Doing so is a fantastic way to boost your child’s confidence.
7. Participate in reading challenges
Many local libraries offer reading challenges for kids, especially during the summer holidays. Taking part in special challenges can be a great way to boost your child’s love of reading. Libraries often host a variety of learning activities for kids. So it’s a great idea to look out for these.
8. Set an example
If you want to bring up kids who love reading, it’s helpful to be a role model. If your kids see you reading a lot, they are more likely to want to get involved. You can set a great example by reading, having plenty of books in the house, and creating a cozy reading corner. Having a quiet and comfortable space to read is incredibly important.
Focusing on these eight tips will help you bring up children who love to read. There are so many tools and practices you can use to help your child grow. From learning apps to educational trips, there are plenty of options. Remember, not all children will take to reading right away, so it’s important to be patient.
