18th March, 2020
Why is it so difficult?
You love reading. You know the benefits of reading. You want your child to be smart and grow up to be a well rounded person – and you know a love of reading will do that.
The reality is though, we live in world full of distractions and over stimulation. For a little tot to sit down quietly for 10-15 minutes to read a book where the pictures don’t even move – it’s a big ask.
These 5 steps, however, can help instil in your child a love for reading.
Why instil the love of reading in your child?
Why do we talk about a love for reading and not a habit of reading?
Think about it – your favourite hobby, maybe painting, cooking or bike riding, you’re pretty good at it. Why? Because you do it often. Why? Because you enjoy it!
The more we love to do something, the more we do it, and in turn, the better we get at it.
If our children have a love of reading, they’ll read more often, learn about different topics, learn more about the world and expand their vocabulary – just to name a few benefits.
So what are the 5 best steps you can take to help your child love reading?
1. Be a role model
Let’s face it - our children copy almost everything we do. We try our best to be a good example and get everything right; but that one slip of the tongue…that one mistake we made…they remember it and they repeat it. And they love to repeat it in public. So the question is: how can we use this to our advantage?
If we show that we love reading (key word: show), there is a very high chance they’ll follow. Maybe you usually read in bed when the kids are already asleep. Why not try reading a bit earlier in the living room? Or have a book open in the corner of the kitchen while you’re making dinner?
The more your child sees you reading, the more their curiosity will grow. They’ll start to think: What’s so interesting in these books? What am I missing out on?
Now of course, for younger kids, you may need to be more obvious.
Not only will they naturally begin to follow your example, when you settle down to read a bedtime story, they’ll feel like they are joining in on a part of your life that you enjoy because they see this as your hobby.
This is also such a great way to bond with your children.
When they know your hobbies and the things you enjoy, and you include them in on them, they’ll feel like they are a part of that. They'll feel that you are enjoying this time with them. This will also help them associate happiness with reading. And like we said – if you love something, you do it a lot.
2. Read often
Reading often seems to be a given. So, what? Read a few times a week? No. Read every day? More. Just make reading a part of your life.
Bring books with you when you drive to the supermarket, when you go to the park or when you pick up their older sibling from school. Having books around all the time will make reading seem a normal part of life.
In time, children will not view reading as a chore or just a part of school and learning abc’s, but simply as a pastime.
3. Have 'cozy time'
Another way to help your child love reading, is to have a ‘cozy time’ at some point in the day. Associating a habit of reading with something they already like and a place they feel comfortable and relaxed will automatically grow their love for reading.
You could find a place in the house that is especially comfortable or cozy, maybe their bedroom, your bed or your super comfy sofa and use that as your regular spot for reading. A good idea is to include snacks or bring their favourite toy to join in this ‘ritual’.
Using an ‘association of ideas’ (reading + comfy place) will trigger the feelings they have when in that place with reading.
If they feel happy and relaxed in your little spot, they’ll begin to feel happy and relaxed every time they read.
Using triggers will help put them be in the ‘reading mood’. For example, every time they eat that snack that you usually eat together when you read, they’ll think about reading and feel like reading.
In the beginning though, it may be difficult to ‘make them’ sit down to read – no matter how cozy you made the place. Take it slow. Remember, this is to make them feel comfortable and associate good feelings with reading. Try to resist scolding them if they don’t go along with it. Take your time.
If they refuse to join in, you can still sit there and read yourself (or with their toy), even reading aloud; maybe they’ll end up rushing over to see the pictures.
4. Visit the Library
Visiting the library is a great way for children to begin their love of reading. Why? Well, when you bring your little one to the supermarket, how often do they beg for that specific lollipop? When you go to the toy shop, how often do they ‘neeeeed’ that massive, fluffy teddy bear? And how often do they ask you to buy that game that little Jimmy down the road has?
The children’s section in the library is chock full of beautifully illustrated books in all shapes and sizes. It is also full of other kids choosing their favourite books to take home. They will beg you to take home the books (a parent’s dream), they don’t want to feel left out as the only kid who doesn’t have a book. And the best part? They can have whatever they want because it’s free!
Bonus: When they’ve chosen it themselves, they’ll be much more interested to read ‘their’ book.
5. Try Reading Different Genres
When your child reaches about 5 years old, they begin to differentiate between make-believe and reality. This is a great opportunity to introduce different genres, or ‘types’ of books. Try some factual books about animals or diggers. Try ABC books or song books. Although it may have only been fairy tales up until now, don’t disregard them altogether. They are a great tool for expanding kids’ imaginations.
Using different genres will open their mind to what’s out there in the world, develop an open mind and improve their vocabulary and knowledge in general.
In conclusion, these 5 tips are a great start to begin developing your child’s love for reading, but it will need patience.
Keep at it and you’ll soon see great results.
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