How to Encourage Good Reading Habits in Children

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Celebrate Reading During National Library Week:

Those of you who like to celebrate the many holidays this month such as April Fool’s Day, Easter and of course National Chocolate Mousse Day, you might be interested to know its National Library Week!

As an avid Kindle reader, I can’t even tell you the last time I really spent time in a library. As a kid my mom used to take me to the library all the time, and it was always a great feeling finding new stories to experience, or just to check out a magazine or video. (Remember the days of VHS?)

Recently, I read an article that a publisher, Pearson, found that most children fail to read books for fun by age 11. It’s seen as “uncool” by their fellow classmates, and nowadays most kids prefer to spend their time online. Following this, I read another article discussing how tablets are making it more challenging for kids to really get involved in stories. It noted that interactivity constructs more of a game experience, and the actual story can get lost in the background.

So not only do kids become less involved in the stories themselves, teachers are noticing a shorter attention span in the classroom and believe that it’s the parents who are not doing enough to encourage their kids to read at home.

So how do we get kids excited about reading?

Check out these helpful tips!

• Have all types of reading materials available all around the house (books, magazines, etc.)
• Take a trip to the bookstore
• Visit the public library, try for at least once or twice a month
• Read to your child before bedtime
• Have your child observe you reading
• Discuss with your child about what they are reading, ask questions
• Develop a daily reading routine

Another fun way to create interest is by introducing your children to kid’s magazines. Kids are more likely to be intrigued by reading a topic that excites them. A great trick my mom used to do was to cut out articles in the newspaper of topics we would be discussing and give them to me to read.

So as you can see there are many fun ways to help develop good reading habits; and by reading more, your child will also expand their vocabulary. Don’t miss out on bonding time and enjoy the stories together.