8 Ways To Develop Good Reading Habits In Your Kid
Are you worried that your child does not read much? Do you know that children who lack reading skills find it tougher to land jobs later in life? If you are looking for ways of encouraging kids to read, below is the post to read. Here we provide simple tips to help your child do better at school and develop better language skills.
How To Encourage Kids To Read?
1. Practice What You Preach:
Practicing what you preach is the golden rule of parenting. When was the last time you read a book? Remember, that you need to lead by example. So pick up a book before you ask your child to follow your cue.
2. Simulate The Right Environment:
As a parent, you want to encourage your child to read more. A brilliant way to get her to read is to simulate an environment that encourages the habit. Consider buying books or subscribing to newspapers or magazines. Take your little munchkin to book fairs, or a bookshop that offers reading space. Visit the local library with your child. Teach your child to value his books. Gift her books as presents for birthdays and special occasions or offer them as rewards for his achievements. Get her to sign up for a library membership.
3. Share Your Experiences:
When you read, your child comes up to you and asks you to tell you about the plot or the book. Even if she cannot relate to the story, or the book isn’t age adequate, make the story up as you go along. Sharing stories will subtly introduce the concept that there is a magical and imaginative world within books and pique your child’s curiosity. Studies assert that sharing your experiences is perhaps the best way to stimulate your child’s imagination and quicken his towards emotional development. So, discuss the book you are reading with your child. If you read something interesting or incredible, share the story with your little one.
[ Read: Benefits Of Storytelling For Kids ]
4. Socializing Through Books:
Peer pressure often helps children develop reading as a habit. If you live in an apartment, get the other children in your society/colony to form a reading club or group. Create a comfortable environment for them to read and serve snacks and beverages. Ask the children to discuss the book they’re reading, the same way they would discuss their favorite video game. In fact, starting a reading club for the children is a great summer activity and apart from keeping them inside the house and away from the hot afternoon sun, it encourages reading habit in children. So, speak to fellow moms in your society to start a young children’s book club.
5. Connect Reading To Real World Issues:
Your child may be adamant about not reading. However, there is no point in forcing the issue. Connect what you read with what is happening around the world. Newspapers help you do just that. Encourage your child to read the kids’ news section in the newspaper. Books need not be only study material for your child. Encourage her to read books for pleasure.
6. Read To Your Kids:
A research paper by John Hutton of the Reading and Literacy Discovery Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center concludes that there is a positive link between reading and brain activity. If you read to your child, chances are he will be better at ‘extracting the meaning from language’. Parents who regularly read to their children can boost their child’s potential and help them develop logical thinking skills.
[ Read: Language Activities For Kids ]
7. Play Word Games:
Games are a fun way to introduce a new word or even correct their spelling. You can begin by giving her a word and asking her to come up with another word with a similar meaning. Continue the chain by suggesting another synonym. Encourage your child to play games like Scrabble or other word games.
8. Curtail TV/Videogame Time:
If your little one loves his video game, then he may create trouble if you set a limit for her. However, you need to be firm and limit the amount of time he plays video games or watches TV. Make time for other activities like board games or word games. Watching too much TV slows the brain down and may lead to higher levels of anxiety among children. Without too many options left, your child may drift towards reading.
The Benefits Of Reading:
It is not surprising to find parents who are alright with the fact that their child does not like to read. Why should he read when the same information is available through meaningful programs on TV and the internet, is the argument. But reading doesn’t merely help to assimilate knowledge- it serves a better purpose as well. For those of you who remain skeptical about the effects of reading, here’s how reading can influence your child positively:
- Positive Impact On The Brain:
There’s no better way to keep the mind alert than to have a good read. Reading is a neurologically demanding task that causes the brain to expand and enhances learning capacity. So, get your child to read and help her boost his concentration and keep his memory sharp.
- Prevents Alzheimer’s And Dementia:
It may sound incredible, but studies conclude that reading can help your child avoid brain problems like Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
[ Read: Symptoms Of Dementia In Children ]
- Reading Improves Your Child Vocabulary:
The obvious benefit of reading habits in children is improvement in vocabulary. To improve your child’s vocabulary, get her to read books. Being articulate will not only help your child improve self- confidence, but it will also help her achieve success in professional life.
- Boosts Imagination:
Ever wondered how your favorite book turned out to be such a bad movie. Reading boosts imagination and visualization. Even the grandest movie remake cannot compare to a novel. So, help your child boost his imagination and visualization skills. Buy her a book.
[ Read: Ways To Raise Children’s Imagination ]
From easing depression to staving off Alzheimer’s, reading has hundreds of benefits. All you need to do is convince your little one to get into the habit. We hope our ideas help your child get into the reading habit. Have any ideas on how to encourage children to read? Tell us about them. Leave a comment below.
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