Reading is not just a crucial life skill – it’s a great way to leave your worries behind! Fostering a love of reading early in life is important – here are a few ways to help your child love to read.
Some of my most vivid and fond memories as a child are from my dad reading me Disney books on his bed before bedtime.
He has a collection of hardback Disney books of all the classics, and I loved picking one out and having him read them to me.
Although I will admit in recent years I haven’t read nearly as much as I would like, I grew up loving to read. I’m grateful that my parents had many books available in our home, took us to the library frequently (even if we racked up late fees!), and read to use from a young age.
I believe that of all the skills our children learn in school, learning to not only read – but love to read – is one of the most crucial.
However, I know that reading can be a struggle for many children – and fortunately, there are a lot of resources you can use to customize your child’s reading experience to make it a better time for them.
Today, I am going to share a few different ways to install a love of reading in your children from a young age. I hope that this will help give you some ideas – whether your child is just born, a preschooler, or older, I don’t think it’s ever too early (or too late) to instill a love of reading
Read to Them
I think the number one thing you can do is just read, read, read. Even when your child is a baby, you can read them books. Not only does it help with language skill, but it’s great for their development otherwise.
Jack is 6.5 now, and while he still enjoys picture books, it’s been fun to see him start to challenge himself and start reading books that are a little more challenging. And even though he can read, we still read to him any chance we get. Forrest just started reading Harry Potter with him, which he’s excited about. I tend to stick to the simpler books still (partially because Oliver never misses a chance to sit with me while I read out loud as well).
Do it often
Make reading a part of your every day! Whether it’s right in the morning, scattered throughout the day, or at bedtime, make it something that’s regular – not rare – in your home.
Go to the library
Libraries are such a wonderful resource in communities. I loved going there as a child, and I love taking my own kids there. Our library did a big remodel recently, and they’ve created such an inviting and fun area for children. I think allowing your children to go and look through books, choose ones that stand out to them, and just be in an environment that revolves around books can be so valuable.
Don’t be afraid to get them their own library cards. My children were so excited when they got theirs. It can make them even more excited to go and get a book when they have their own card to do it with.
Most libraries have activities for different ages as well, which can make it even more fun.
Storytime
We love going to the library storytime. Our library has a lot throughout the week for different ages, and they are so interactive. Lots of songs, an activity, and plenty of reading. I think most children enjoy being read to, and it can be a fun change of pace to have someone else reading to them.
Make it interactive
For some kids, it’s hard to just sit and listen to a book. While there’s value in teaching your child to sit still for a period of time, there’s nothing wrong with trying to make your reading experience more interactive.
This can be anything from acting out parts of the story, doing a picture read through (just talk about the pictures rather than the words), or trying a different format for books.
Although I’m not a big fan of screen time, I do think there is value in some apps for children. Anything that encourages reading and exploring the world around you is a good thing if you ask me! We have some great children eBook apps that we really enjoy.
You can read it yourself, or you can have the book read to them, which is kind of fun. We really loved turning to the augmented reality version. Oliver couldn’t believe it when I had a butterfly land on the plate of cookies in front of us.
The story follows Dex T-Rex as he gets a little rough while playing and how he learned about how the things he did affect others. Oliver loved watching him be a little rough – but he seemed to understand as he went back to correct those mistakes. We’ve been trying to teach Oliver recently that sometimes he might do things that hurt other people – even if he doesn’t mean to – so it was a good way to reinforce that.
Anyways!
Switch it up
When Jack was in Kindergarten, his teacher sent home a monthly “Reading BINGO” sheet. Although I forgot about it most of the time (#reallife), I did like the idea of it. It encouraged the children to read different places and in different scenarios. It made reading a little more exciting to be outside under a tree rather than just on the couch. Sometimes it can be as simple as switching an environment to help your child enjoy reading just a little bit more.
Read Yourself
As a busy mom, I often find it difficult to do much else beyond keeping my kids alive – so reading isn’t always at the top of my list. However, I really believe in the power of modeling behavior – and if your children sees that you love to read, they will very likely pick that up as well.
So make time to read – tell your child about the books you are reading, books you’ve read in the past, and what you love about reading. Talk about what they’ve read as well! You never know what you might learn, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that children really love to have people be interested in what they are doing. Asking questions can also help with reading comprehension as well.
Audio Books
I think audio books are amazing! I know people who struggled with reading for one reason or another, and when they discovered audio books, it changed everything.
Our doctor recently suggested we have Oliver listen to audiobooks as a way to improve his speech annunciation, which I thought was a cool idea. She said she did this with her daughter, and she believes it helped more than anything else.
Try Different Books
Not every child will respond to every book the same. While some kids will get lost in the fantasy and excitement of Harry Potter, others will enjoy the simple and positive nature of Little House on the Prairie. All it takes is finding one book they really love to realize
It may not be a book you love yourself, and that’s okay. The other day I was saying something about how many Jack should try some books that aren’t just LEGO books, and Forrest mentioned, “Well, those books have been really helpful in him learning to read – and wanting to read!” And it’s true – it may not have been a book that I thought was fun, but he LOVES to read them, and that’s great. This morning he even told me, “Instead of turning on the TV this morning, I read my book! It’s non-fiction!” haha!
If you have a hesitant reader, ask around for different books that your friends’ children have enojyed.
Try different ways
Read a book in a silly voice. Read it backward. Read just the first line of every page. Just mix it up and make reading a little more fun!
biopsbeet says
Propecia
TEELEMADA says
https://buystromectolon.com/ – stromectol 6mg
NeupleBex says
Viagra
NeupleBex says
Viagra
squeews says
http://buypropeciaon.com/ – proscar without a prescription
Uplinny says
http://buytadalafshop.com/ – Cialis
squeews says
http://buypropeciaon.com/ – propecia online pharmacy
enangemia says
buying generic cialis online safe
biopsbeet says
propecia wiki
Cialis says
Amoxicillin Dosage For Treating Uti
enangemia says
Cialis
artesybab says
ivermectin for cats
Uplinny says
http://buytadalafshop.com/ – cheap cialis online
Cialis says
Buy Diflucan Online Canada
TEELEMADA says
http://buystromectolon.com/ – ivermectin 3mg price
Zithromax says
Viagra 100mg Price Without Rx
Priligy says
Does Alcohol Interact With Amoxicillin
asydaynom says
will 500mg of azithromycin cure chlamydia
assugNear says
priligy alternative
Bersimics says
https://buypriligyhop.com/ – priligy amazon uk
Mawsleesk says
https://buyplaquenilcv.com/ – what is plaquenil used for
Breartelt says
http://buylasixshop.com/ – furosemide type of diuretic
upsemijup says
https://buyzithromaxinf.com/ – Zithromax
Breartelt says
https://buylasixshop.com/ – potassium and lasix
upsemijup says
https://buyzithromaxinf.com/ – can you drink on zithromax
thounse says
Plaquenil
Plaquenil says
Cialis Sovradosaggio
asydaynom says
Zithromax
Estalry says
furosemide for sale
Estalry says
furosemide ototoxicity
assugNear says
priligy 30mg price
thounse says
plaquenil buy
Lasix says
Viagra Kaufen Gegen Rechnung
Plaquenil says
Mebendazole Commercial Canada
Mawsleesk says
http://buyplaquenilcv.com/ – can i buy plaquenil in mexico?
Priligy says
90 Tablets Generic Propecia
Bersimics says
https://buypriligyhop.com/ – Priligy
ElowlyVon says
prednisone for dogs dosage chart
Prednisone says
Antibiotics Without Prescription Canada
Enquisp says
https://buyneurontine.com/ – neurontin 300 mg
intilsTal says
https://prednisonebuyon.com/ – buy prednisone 5mg online
Enquisp says
http://buyneurontine.com/ – Neurontine
intilsTal says
https://prednisonebuyon.com/ – prednisone canadian pharmnacy
ElowlyVon says
prednisone,purchase online
Peermourf says
gabapentin in dogs
Peermourf says
Neurontine
Reiko Holaday says
http://www.ursula-art.net/img_0655-2/
Logan Hone says
http://socialpress.fr/william-vous-offre-votre-horoscope-gratuit
Trevor Agne says
Fabulous, what a webpage it is! This webpage gives helpful information to us, keep it up.|
Leana Hiley says
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I do not know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!|
Chasidy Tardy says
You can certainly see your expertise in the article you write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. At all times follow your heart.|
Will Ishii says
It is in point of fact a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m glad that you simply shared this useful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.|
Cory Yoneoka says
Every weekend i used to visit this website, for the reason that i want enjoyment, since this this site conations actually fastidious funny material too.|
Propecia says
Butyr Fentanyl Buy
Dennis Klamet says
I was able to find good advice from your content.|
lypethy says
priligy dapoxetine amazon
itedger says
Stromectol
faigorife says
where can you buy viagra over the counter
Pesydeers says
Propecia
Seercelop says
lasix side effects
lypethy says
Priligy
Seercelop says
Lasix
Trainiads says
cialis online prescription
Viagra says
Cialis Soft Tabs 20mg
Cialis says
Viagra Feminino
Propecia says
Kamagra Oral Jelly Walmart
Prionge says
cialis generic tadalafil
Uninquege says
Viagra
Pesydeers says
Propecia
Uninquege says
Viagra
Prionge says
cialis buy online
Trainiads says
Cialis
faigorife says
Viagra
itedger says
Stromectol
OnellLync says
Prednisone
Prednisone says
Dove Acquistare Cialis Online
Viagra says
Cheap Cialis Online
Priligy says
viagra cialis on line
OnellLync says
how long can you take prednisone safely
Han Mariotti says
Hey would you mind letting me know which web host you’re working with? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you suggest a good hosting provider at a honest price? Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!|
Roselia Peralta says
Greetings I am so delighted I found your web site, I really found you by mistake, while I was searching on Google for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a incredible post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the superb b.|
Zulema Lewison says
Someone essentially assist to make seriously posts I would state. That is the first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to create this particular put up incredible. Wonderful task!|
Louise Vina says
I know this web site offers quality depending content and other stuff, is there any other web site which gives these kinds of things in quality?|
Bo Tortora says
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up and also the rest of the website is really good.|
Teena Flachs says
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody? This article posted at this website is genuinely pleasant.|
Cymnkeync says
generic name for cialis
Cymnkeync says
comprare cialis online
steglek says
purchase hydroxychloroquine sulfate
Frederick Wickey says
I really like reading through an article that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for permitting me to comment!|
Adalberto Shewmaker says
Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same outcome.|
Stewart Morta says
Saved as a favorite, I really like your web site!|