Reading is an important social tool that no adult can do without. The ability to read opens up the ability to communicate digitally, engage with media, and understand academic content.
But despite its ubiquity in society, reading is a skill that must be learned. Kids who struggle to read often have difficulty with the rest of their education. That’s why it’s important to establish a positive experience with reading that will follow your kids through the rest of their lives.
Buy the Right Books
There’s no point in reading if there isn’t anything good to read. Kids care about the quality of their content as much as adults do; they just have different standards and may not know how to express themselves. If your child isn’t engaging with books, it’s probably because they don’t like the ones they have been offered.
Many kids books are focused on fantastical stories that take place in far-off lands. Although some kids love the idea of an alternate reality, the truth is that most kids are too busy learning about this one. Try buying books that are about real things, like animals, space, or social interactions. Look for fun illustrations combined with simple text that suits your kid’s current reading level.
Provide a Quiet Environment
To kids, reading is work, and atmosphere means everything when it comes to getting work done. Kids need a quiet, peaceful, and pressure-free environment in which picking up a book actively seems like a good idea.
Most reading is done during slow but productive parts of the day. You might encourage your kid to read while you’re getting your own work done either on the computer or around the house. Don’t expect your kids to spend their free time reading; it’s not good for them to prioritize work over spending time with their family or hanging out with their friends online.
Set your kid up to read in a comfortable chair with plenty of light. Some kids like gentle music, but others prefer complete silence. You may also leave the television on depending on your family’s tastes – just make sure it’s at a low volume so it’s not too distracting.
Give Your Kids Time
Pressure kills enjoyment, and your kids will never learn to love reading if you make it a point of tension in your family. Every kid learns skills at a different pace, and reading is simply more difficult for some students. As a parent, all you can do is be a beacon of trust and patience that your kids will want to emulate.
Show faith your kid by allowing them to read at a rate that works for them. Provide gentle reminders, but don’t stress them about assigned reading materials. If you’re having a hard time, try reading a book together as a family activity; your kid might want your attention far more than they want to absorb the contents of the book.
Getting a kid to love reading is all about creating positive experiences. Provide good books, create a welcoming environment, and treat reading like a normal work activity. Before you know it, your kid will be flipping through books and learning all sorts of new things about the world.
