The truth is, who so ever became friends with words would never be alone. All book-lovers know that they can travel to countless places, live different lives and do multiple things through their books. You get to see different perspectives and find out that you are not the supreme authority on any topic.
Today our homes have been invaded by smartphones with social media and addictive games. Kids spend all the free time glued to both of them.
Books are the greatest teacher for children. They develop their vocabularies, assisting them immensely in life. The languages’ command boosts the kid’s creativity, letting the mind reach the unimaginable and increasing creativity. Reading about many things improves the knowledge store. Say, for example, you learn more about Latin America by reading an exciting story than by the tedious course books.
A few parents want to know exactly how to push kids to read. Here is how:
Fix a reading schedule
Keep about forty minutes daily saved as reading time. This can be just before sleep or any other time suitable to both. Initially, let them read the novels you had recounted as kids. The storyline will be familiar, and it will be simple for them to pick out the words, okay muggle?
Slow
Interest in books cannot be pushed overnight. It is a gradual process where the kids learn to fall in love with the written word’s magical world. If the habit of reading is taught at the earliest, this will grow slowly as the kid ages. Parents have to begin as soon as the kid can understand—read stories to your three-year-old child. Gradually phase out this storytelling to story reading.
Expectations
Parents should be practical in their expectations. Do not think that the kid will jump into reading the first time they get their hands on the novel. The first couple of times, they may falter with diction. Tenderly correct them. They may even read through the entire page without knowing any word. Instead of describing the whole book to them, make their minds work. If you reveal Snape’s secret in Philosopher’s Stone, the kid won’t read further. Ask easy questions about the novel. Finally, they will get the hang of reading books.
Read
It is crucial to teach our children by setting an example. Ensure that the kids see you read. If you read books, your kids will automatically do the same. It is tough to convince a child to read copiously if the parents never pick up a novel. Not only will it be a motivation, but also the kids will find reading together a lot of fun.
Get books on subjects of interest.
If the child is a fan of dogs, get some books on them. The markets are filled with lots of things related to dogs. Do a little survey and get the novels of a particular topic. Ensure that the stories are picturesque and colorful. The print should be big, as reading small words can be tiresome. Could you go through the books before buying them? The stories should be of a level readable by your child. Too easy or too harsh books distract the children very quickly.
Install support
There are many helping aids the parents can use to encourage reading. Set up a board and put pictures with hilarious comments on it. Pin small poetry or limerick on it for your kid to read. Put notes in their school box.
Universal Reading Time
Do not bind reading to the four walls of your room. Utilize the wealth of words swimming all around us. Point out the words on the hoardings while driving with your kid. Ask the kid to read out the credits on the movie poster. Talking about newspaper headlines is a perfect way to learn. While you are waiting for the caretaker to arrive, they can read up the pamphlets. At the cafe, let them read the menu and pick something to eat. Ask them to explain the instructions on the new game.
Never push
Try all this in a very informal manner. If the kid feels that she is being forced towards reading, she will stall like an opposition political candidate. While waiting for the doctor, please don’t push the pamphlet in the kid’s hand and force her too read. Instead, say very, very informally (a monotonous voice is a must), “Four words are starting with ma in this pamphlet.” The child will quickly try to find out the fact for herself and find a few more words to boot.
These methods are just general aids to help the kids read more. As a parent, you have to present an interest in their new activity. Correct them gently, when wrong. Exhibit appreciation and enthusiasm when the kids want to read. It is an excellent idea to buy books as incentives and gifts. Discuss the book the kid has just read. Talk about her favorite character in the book. If a movie is made on the particular book, make it a point to take her to it.
Happy parenting.
