Simple Ways to Encourage Reading

March 15, 2017

Studies show that reading is beneficial to children in many ways including social growth, intellectual progress, and emotional understanding. But how do you encourage your child to develop a love of reading?  Here are just a few ways to integrate reading into your life and help your child develop a lifelong love of books.

• Read to and with your child for 30 minutes a day. Talk about what you have read and find books that intrigue or excite your child.
• When a child is an infant or toddler, supply lots of books to look through and make reading a part of their daily routine either at bedtime when he/she is more likely to be sleepy or as another part of your daily activities.
• Go to the library and get your child his/her own library card. The idea that they can borrow and read anything opens up an amazing world for children.
• Model good reading by reading books for enjoyment yourself.
• Write notes to your child in their lunch or around the house that they will want to read.
• Put signs around the house that label items.
• Play games to find words and letters while you are out doing errands.
• Work with your child’s school to find ways to encourage reading.
• Create a cool place to read in the child’s room or playroom. A tent or nook can really make reading fun.
• Listen to storytellers at story hour.
• Don’t be too picky about what books your child is reading – any reading is good reading.
• Listen to audiobooks in the car instead of playing on handheld devices.
• Read as a family.
• Take field trips to places he/she has read about.
• Encourage your child to write a story themselves.
• Praise any progress in reading.
• Give books as gifts. There is just something about having books to call your own that every child should experience.
• Text your child.
• Have fun!  Reading should be a joy not a chore so make it fun in your own way!