Do you struggle to give your child a love of reading? Wondering if you’ll ever get your kids to read? Use these six tips to encourage your kids to love reading.
Encourage a Love of Reading
1. Demonstrate Reading to Your Kids
Nagging kids to read more doesn’t work very well. Kids have a tendency to think that if you’re having to nag them, it must be a chore. However, kids copy the adults around them. This means that if you read, your kids will mimic you and read themselves.
Let your kids see you curl up with a book in the evenings. Tell your children about the jokes and funnies you’ve read lately. Share historical events or fascinating science facts over the dinner table. Gently promote reading without nagging by showing children how important being able to read is.
2. Subscribe to Magazines
There are many different magazines out there for children and having a magazine arrive in the mail is exciting. Find a few good kids’ magazines and subscribe. These magazines offer short articles, puzzles, and ideas for creativity. Your kids will spend many happy hours pouring over their magazines.
Don’t forget to subscribe to adult magazines as well. There are many wonderful magazines on current scientific topics, historical events, geographic explorations, and current news events. These magazines encourage children to spend hours thumbing through the pictures, reading blurbs, and browsing the articles.
3. Library Days
It takes time for children to become comfortable in different environments, and the library is no different. Children who never darken a library door find themselves confused and bewildered at the library. On the other hand children who grow up visiting the library know just where to go when they have a question that needs to be answered.
The best way is to spend long afternoons at the library. Browse the library stacks. Curl up and read stories together. Spend time writing or coloring at the tables. Make the time enjoyable, and encourage your children to ask the librarians for help.
Join our FREE online class for more tips, tricks and amazing facts you never knew about reading!
4. Read Your Kids’ Favorite Books
My kids tend to be prolific readers. It’s hard or even impossible to keep up with all the books they’re reading. However, even though you’re busy, find the time to read some of your kids’ favorite books.
Once you’ve read a book, sit down and chat about it. Tell your child about your favorite scenes and the characters you love. Keep the chatter positive and encourage dialogue about the book. There’s nothing quite as pleasant as sharing a favorite book with a parent or friend.
5. Cozy Reading Times
Cozy reading times are a great way to show kids you love them. Pull out the sleeping bags, blankets, and pillows. Curl up on sofas and chairs. Read inside of nests and tents in the living room. The goal is to be comfortable and warm as you read.
Don’t forget to provide tea, hot chocolate, and cookies to nibble on as you read. Reading will become a favorite indoor activity on rainy days.
6. Read Aloud Fun Books
There’s a tendency, at least in my house, to read aloud historical or scientific books. You know, not every book has to be an educational book. Sometimes it’s fun to read a funny or delightful book just to enjoy the prose.
Find books you loved as a child to share. Try reading a popular series from today. Find books to read aloud just because they’re great books, not only because they’re educational.
These six tips are just a few of the my favorite ways to encourage your kids to love reading.
What are your favorite tips for encouraging a love of reading in your children?
Check out our store for fun and easy ebooks that your kids will love to read!
Reading aloud was always the most fun for me. It definitely kept my attention and made me want to pick up a book for myself afterwards. Thanks for the tips!
One of my fondest memories growing up was going as a family to the library. My mother was a big reader and we ended up being big readers as well. We would all get in the car and go to the library and I would beg her to get so many books. I was so proud the day I could get my own library card. Great tips, thanks for sharing!