Developing a passion for books for your little ones
Print Edition
Developing a passion for books and reading can support children’s academic success, especially by improving their writing and comprehension skills. But aside from school life, it is also an excellent way for them to explore new worlds and expand their imaginations. If children can develop the habit of reading from a young age, the benefits can last a lifetime. But how can we encourage children to read?
The first piece of advice would be to start early. Reading has to be a daily habit and, believe it or not, this can be established as soon as the child is born. Infants like to hear the sound of their parents’ voices. Children don’t need to understand what is being said when being read to — they can simply enjoy the rhythms of stories. Starting this habit from a young age and dedicating a specific time to do so is great for both children and parents.
As well as having time set aside each day for reading, parents can also create a special reading space. Reading together is an opportunity for bonding, so why not do so in a cozy and relaxed environment? This doesn’t have to be a special room — a sofa or child’s bedroom with cushions and blankets is a great setting for reading to take place.
Another obvious reading location is a library — whether this is in school or the numerous public libraries across the city, a library is a fantastic resource full of books and somewhere children can see others reading and enjoying books. This can be a very strong motivator for children to read themselves, as they witness reading as a popular and rewarding habit. If parents are worried about reading levels or genre, they can give their children a specific section from the library or bookstore to choose from to keep the books within a suitable range.
Likewise, it is great for children to see their parents reading. Modelling good reading habits is very important. If children see their parents reading books, newspapers, or magazines, and if homes are welcoming environments for reading, they are more likely to keep up this good habit.
Children love to read with their parents, and it is important to remember that this is their time to enjoy reading, so selecting a book that they want to hear/read together is important.
Finally, remember that it is not just books that can be read to youngsters. Reading is part of everyday life. It’s great to get children to become aware of this as early as possible, so you can point it out to them when out and about. This can be as simple as reading road signs or advertisements on the streets, or recipes from cookbooks when at home. Words are everywhere and the world presents us with ample opportunities to read. So, go out, read, and enjoy!
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