“A child who reads will be an adult who thinks”. – Unknown
We couldn’t agree more with this quote, as reading plays an essential role in everyone’s lives as it is the sole foundation of education and fundamental skill to academic success. For many parents reading fairy tales and stories, books are a pleasurable activity to make kids fall asleep. But making them read becomes a battle when kids start getting older and get exposed to television, video games, and other hi-tech gadgets.
- Has making your kids read turned into a battleground for you?
- You have tried every possible way to develop their interest in reading but it hasn’t helped?
- Are teachers the only hope left for you?
Here we bring you 7 of the box and creative ideas to instill a love for reading in your kids.
TIP 1: Start When They’re Young
Yes, you heard that right. Start reading to your kids when they’re babies or toddlers. Of course, they can’t read properly but surely can listen.
- This will help in building vocabulary skills, listening power, and memory.
- It will also help them in developing communication skills.
- This will also help them in introducing concepts like colors, shapes, and things in an engaging way.
Make sure that the books you read to them are visually appealing with lots of colorful pictures and bright colors as they will stimulate their visual senses.
TIP 2: Have Books Placed Around the House
You can keep all kinds of books including fairy tales, comics, kids’ friendly mysteries, early picture books, and board books. You can place a few books on your coffee table, followed by some books related to food on the dining table, fairy tales in the bedroom, and fun books in the playroom.
Your kids will surely get excited and come rushing to you while wandering about the story.
TIP 3: Let Kids See You Reading
Did you know? Most of the kid’s habits are a reflection of their parents. That’s because they adapt to their surroundings and learn what they see. So, when you want your kids to develop a love for reading, you should be very fond of reading as well.
- Read your favorite books while having coffee in your garden, when your kids are playing.
- Read when your kids are watching TV.
- You can also read cooking books while cooking.
Soon, you will also see your kids peeking around inside your books and asking you, what are you reading mommy?
TIP 4: Trips to Libraries, Bookstores & Reading Cafe’s
Who said reading is boring? Pick up a genre and plan weekly or monthly trips to your local library or bookstores. Give them the liberty to pick what they want to read and schedule days for reading every book. There are many bookstores and reading cafes that allow you to snack while reading. You can take them along with you (after COVID) and treat them with their favorite snacks.
PRO TIP: Or you can have your reading café at the terrace or dining table?
TIP 5: Incorporate Audio Books with Traditional Books
Who said audiobooks don’t count as books? The essence is a bit different but you can also incorporate audiobooks in your kids’ reading routine. You can also invite their friends, decorate the room with engaging games then play rhymes and other easy-to-understand books with short passages. With this, you are helping your kids to develop fluency and vocabulary skills as well.
TIP 6: Play Fun Reading Games
Reading doesn’t have to be a punishment if it is imposed deliberately it can push the children’s interest completely. However, there are certain ways of making reading an interesting activity for your kindergarten kids. Play fun reading games with your kids. You can buy them from kids’ stores, order online, or even play them online. You can also create your version of games:
- Use fridge magnets to form easy words and ask your kids to guess them.
- Take various shapes, colors and fruits, ask your kids to guess the word.
- You can also have painting colors and a huge canvas and ask your kids to write and draw their favorite fruit, color, and shapes.
TIP 7: Read and Watch Together
Trick or treat your kids by reading books and then reward them with the same movie. There are plenty of movies like Cinderella, Snow White, Goldie Locks, Rapunzel, and many more that have both books and movies. Read books and watch movies with your kids and they will always come asking for more.
We understand that parenting is an important job and comes with a big responsibility but don’t be that serious as a little fun is also important. Remember that you’re trying to develop a habit in your kid and not trying to impose it. Listen to your child, communicate with them about what interests them, what inspires them and what they want to become when they grow up. Pick out the books as per their interests and they will surely fall in love with reading.
