A few days ago, a friend told me that she didn't really know what to do to encourage your eight-year-old's reading habit. For this reason, I have decided to make a post with super simple ideas that will not cost you anything to put into practice. Remind you that reading encourages imagination, creativity, critical thinking and can help resolve conflicts.
Many of you will be taking advantage of the summer and holidays to encourage your children to read. But, let me tell you one thing: not just any book is worth it, and continually insisting is not good either. That way, the children will start reading compulsory and we don't want that at all. Ideally, they should be the ones who voluntarily pick up a book.
So, let's go for those five simple ideas to encourage the reading habit in the little ones. I hope the post helps you and that you tell me the results!
To promote the reading habit in your children ... you have to read yourself
It's the truth! Surely, your children want to imitate everything you do. Therefore, you have to try to have a book in your hands practically every day. In that way, it is more possible for your children to do what you and be encouraged willingly to start reading more consistently. You cannot promote the reading habit of children if you do not do it often. You have to set an example. Thus, the reading will flow authentically, without pressure and naturally.
Libraries, bookstores and events to encourage reading
It would be great if you went with your children to libraries, bookstores and events to promote the reading habit in children. Now in summer and holidays, surely there are a lot of reading workshops for the little ones with a lot of fun and original activities for them. In this way, they will be in contact with the books regularly and will feel more motivated to start reading and enjoy reading.
A corner of the house for your children dedicated to reading
Make a small library at home. Ask the little ones where they would like to have their reading corner with their stories and books so they can read quietly without distractions. You can decorate together a small space in the house dedicated to children's reading. In addition to doing a family activity together, you will be making your children feel comfortable and relaxed to read.
Act out the stories with your children and do fun activities after reading
Children love to imagine the characters and give them a voice. Why don't you do it once a week with them? You can try to read a chapter with your children aloud and play the characters that come out. I am convinced that they will have a great time and that you will have a great time together. This way, children will know that reading can be fun and enjoyable. And you will be doing something as a family! After each chapter read, you can tell them to draw a scene that has come out or the one that they liked the most. Thus, you will be favoring creativity as well.
Give children several options to read and do not force them
Possibly you already know, but, any book is not worth to promote the reading habit. You have to try to ask the children what they would like to read about and find out what they have a special interest in. I also advise you to have a variety of readings at home so that they can choose the one that most attracts their attention. In this way, they would be choosing the book for themselves. Although it seems something quite obvious, You must not force your children to read and you must not punish children with reading (Yes, there are cases of parents who have children read when they have misbehaved).
What do you think of the ideas? I would love to know what you do to encourage the reading habit in the little ones in the house!