As a parent, you probably know how important reading is to a child’s vocabulary, speech, and academic success. But how do you get your child to read in the first place? Ideally, reading should be a habit to your child, much like brushing their teeth, though they would ideally enjoy reading a bit more.
Here are five ways to get your kids to read:
Set aside time for reading each day
In order to make reading a habit, you need to get your child to read every day. If you set aside a specific reading time each day, they will become accustomed to it and will likely begin to read beyond their allotted time. A good time for reading is right before bed. Reading before bed will insure quiet time and will also help your child get to sleep quicker.
Read together
Reading with your child is a very powerful way to get them into reading. When they are young, read to them. And when they can read for themselves, read silently together. Read the same book and discuss it over meals. This will not only get your child to love reading, but it will be a bonding activity between you and your child as well.
Let your child choose their own reading material
Forcing a child to read something that does not interest them is a good way to make them hate to read. Your child already has to read things they do not want to at school; do not extend it into the home. Even if your child chooses material that is less than literary such as graphic novels, let them read what they like. A love of reading is more important than the “quality” of what is being read.
Reward reading
One good way to get a child who is resistant to reading interested is to create a reward structure. For each hour your child spends reading, allow one hour of TV or video games. This way, there is an incentive to read because it allows them to do other things that they enjoy. The hope is that they will begin to enjoy reading for its own merits, but even if they do not, they are still reaping the benefits of daily reading.
Foster a love of knowledge
Children generally love learning in its own right, and it is only through being forced to do so in school that they begin to resent it. Children are naturally curious, and will ask lots of questions. Instead of just feeding them answers, encourage them to research the topics themselves. Their natural curiosity will drive them to read much more than they can be forced to in school.
Which of these tips have worked for you?
Guest Contributor +Brian Burton is a children’s book enthusiast and online publisher for childrensbookstore.com who writes on the topics of reading and parenting.
We allow unlimited reading in bed (they have to go to bed on time, but they may read as late as they like). I got this tip from my mom, who used it to get my sister reading, with great success.
Great points! I also think it’s important for your kids to see you reading – for pleasure, for information, the newspaper, whatever. Surround them with things to read!
I agree about the setting aside time. My son enjoys reading (finally!), but he’d choose to watch TV or play computer. When I suggest/force him to read a certain amount of time, he often chooses to extend it.
I think reading together is a great one. We were very good about reading every night to our first son. Now we have 3 and we are not as diligent as with #1, but it is a regular thing. From nightly scripture study to reading Harry Potter to them at bath time.
the great thing is, because the oldest loves books so much he often takes time out to read to the younger two boys.
I don’t force my kids to read books they’re not interested in, but I do make them at least try a book they turn their nose up. More often than not they find they do like what I’ve suggested and if not, then that’s fine too.
We take time to read together, to visit the library and I make sure our bookshelves are full. My 4 year old has been learning to read and is doing really well so now she’s excited to read by herself, but still loves to be read to often.