Most children aren’t really a fan of books, and do I blame them? Even we the parents don’t like reading unless it’s something that’s really of interest. Give my mum a book that talks about history and she’ll be snoring while reading but one that gives her the latest gist? Trust me, she won’t blink until she finishes reading.
But you really should cultivate reading habits in your kids, readers are leaders remember. How can you encourage your children to love reading? Here;
1. Read bedtime stories to them
Read children books to them while they are on bed. This will teach them new words, develop their interest in reading and also widen their imagination. Reading shouldn’t be limited to bedtime alone, you can read to them on a weekend when the whole family is relaxed.
2. Try to be engaging
Reading can be fun when you gesticulate with your hands, change your voice as if mimicking the characters and their emotions at a particular time, but when you read quickly, it will bore your child and not appeal to their imagination.
3. Make them see reading as fun
Be a good role model, you can read an interesting book to your husband, you can relax and read a book while your children are watching you, this will tell them that reading is not just a chore, but it’s fun. When they see you reading and enjoying it, they’d be encouraged.
4. Keep a book in your bag
If you’re like me who lives in Lagos and gets stuck in traffic a lot, always carry children’s book in your bag and read it to your children to kill time. You can read anywhere too.
5. Never use reading as punishment
Parents, don’t be in the habit of sending your children to their room to read as punishment. When they begin to associate punishment with books that’s bad.
6. Tell them stories about books you loved.
Even if you never liked books when you were young, read up on some books and tell them about how you love those books and tell them the story(children like fable). Your enthusiasm will encourage your children to want to read those books too.
7. Gift them books as gifts
When you buy them toys as gifts for their birthday and on Christmas, buy them books too.
8. Buy books that’ll interest your child
What interests your child? Adventure story, love story? Find out, don’t just pick up any book, buy books based on their interest. They’ll be more interested in reading when it’s about what they like.
Developing reading habits in your kids from an early stage will help develop their vocabulary, sense of imagination and reading skills. Not only that it’s a skill that’ll help them in life.
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