Reading is an essential skill that opens the door to a world of imagination and discovery for children. However, getting them interested in reading can sometimes be challenging, given the other activities that can interest them more easily. To help parents and grandparents in this process, we’ve covered a few topics to help you get your youngest children excited about reading.
Showing enthusiasm for reading
Children are often influenced by the behaviour of the adults around them. If you want to give them a taste for reading, you have to show them that you are interested in this activity too. The more books a child sees you with or is used to seeing in their daily life, the more likely they are to develop an attachment to them. Of course, this doesn’t work every time, some children are more receptive than others, which is why parents have an important part to play in developing children’s interest in books.
Choosing appealing books for children
To get children interested in reading, they need to be interested in the activity you are proposing. If their older brother or sister is playing video games, for example, you’ll have a harder time convincing them. That’s why the key factor is the selection of the book. The objective is to give them a book that will capture their imagination. You can do this by giving them a book with beautiful illustrations or a story that particularly appeals to them. Another option is to let them choose their own book, which will help to get them involved in the activity before they open the first page. Be careful, though, to always select an age-appropriate book, as the themes covered will make the reading experience more meaningful. It’s also important to expose children to a variety of literary genres. From novels to comic strips, informative or personalised books, this broadens their horizons and allows them to discover different styles of writing.
Visit the library with your children
There’s a simple way to get children interested in reading. It’s an option you don’t necessarily think about, but it’s a great one! The idea is to organise regular visits to the local library. It’s a magical place with a range of books that you can’t get at home. Thanks to this place, your child will become familiar with the process of looking for a book. They can look at anything they want, which creates a sense of independence and excitement in young readers. It’s a great opportunity to discover different literary styles that they might not have thought of. Sometimes, in exchange for a small subscription fee, children and their parents can take the time to choose their favourite books and meet up with them at home to share pleasant moments, alone or together.
Create a reading routine
If you want your child to develop a love for reading, it’s important to create a routine around this activity. It’s a way of getting your child used to picking up a book every day to read. Of course, for this practice to work, you need to share this activity with your child. We recommend that you choose a suitable time of the day to do the reading, for example just before bedtime. The benefits of reading on sleep have already been proven, so it’s a very good idea to place the activity at this time. In this way, you can use your child’s bedroom as a reading corner. You can take the opportunity to rearrange the pillows and blankets to create a special reading corner. Reading will become a comforting moment and will strengthen the family bond between you and your child.
Encourage post-reading discussion
After finishing a book, it is very important to take the time to discuss it with your child. This is the time to ask them how they feel and what they think about the story, and to ask questions to make sure they have understood everything. This post-reading moment gives children a better idea of what they like and don’t like in the stories they read, so they can make better choices next time. It’s also an important time for stimulating critical thinking, forcing children to think for themselves and explore new emotions and opinions that they haven’t yet had to face in their lives. It’s a moment that will help them grow and mature and prepare them for future reading.
Associate reading with other activities
The easiest way to develop a child’s love for reading is to integrate it into other daily activities. For example, during a cooking session, the child can be involved to help the adults. This is one way of including children’s cookery books in cooking sessions. You can also explore educational books to do fun science experiments or learn about the stars by studying the sky. These activities add practical dimensions to reading, making it more interactive and memorable.
Children can also be encouraged to take part in fun activities based on the books they have read. Arts and crafts, role-playing inspired by the characters, or even excursions related to the themes of the books can enhance the reading experience and make it more immersive for children.
Use technology to get people interested in reading
Technology is an integral part of everyday life. That’s why there are interactive digital books and applications for children to explore. For some children, the use of technology can make reading more attractive and even simpler. However, it is important to maintain a balance between physical books and digital formats. Screen time must be carefully controlled, especially as specialists recommend that it should not be allowed for children under the age of 3. Children over the age of 3 should never be allowed to use screens alone and should be accompanied by a responsible adult.
In conclusion, encouraging a love of reading in children requires patience and creativity. By adopting these recommendations, adults can help to create a positive environment around reading, awakening curiosity and a love of books within young readers.
