Reading is an important skill for a child as it can influence his performance at school and the overall development as a person. As Frederick Douglass, the great African-American social reformer and writer observed, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free. “; once mastered, reading can open doors of imagination and new worlds for a child and can be an asset in each step of his development.
In this article we share some great tips that can guide parents in assisting their children in developing good reading habits, right from a very young age.
Let your child see you read
Kids are great observers! Children can get influenced by habits that they observe in their parents. By seeing a parent reading and enjoying a book, a child can learn the values of reading. Let your child see you read as much as possible – be it a book, newspaper or any other reading material – and it can create impressions in him about reading as an activity that can be enjoyed.
Read together with your children
Reading together with your child and reading aloud to your child are great ways in which a parent can share the message of the fun associated with reading to a kid. According to children’s author Emilie Buchwald, “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.“. Reading together with your kid also strengthens the bond between you two and also improves reading and communication skills in the child.
Instead of making reading a routine chore, the read-along sessions with their parents, make reading a fun filled activity for children.
Take trips to libraries with your kid
Taking trips with your kids to libraries and book fairs can help your child explore and discover a world of new books and authors. A library is a great place to see and explore a wide selection of books associated with a range of topics and making your child interact with new books on a regular basis helps him identify the wide possibilities of reading.
Assist them with their reading choices
Forcing your own reading selections on a child can have negative effects in their reading habit. Try to find their own interests and then gently assist them in finding good reading materials that match their reading interests. The words of American civil rights activist and poet Maya Angelou can be taken as a key here. She said “Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his needs, is good for him.”
Introduce them to a selection of books suitable for his age group and let your child pick the one that he is interested in. Look for the books that ignite their curiosity and makes reading a pleasure for them and help him in finding more similar books.
Constant communication and interaction with your children regarding the books that they read can also improve their reading experience and reading habits. Conducting healthy discussions on the books that they read can improve their communication skills and expand their thinking capability. Follow these easy to implement tips today itself and positively transform the reading experience in your home.
