Every parent will want to encourage their child to read books, but this is easier said than done. While some children become bookworms from a young age, many struggle to get into reading regularly. The benefits of reading books for children are well-documented, including brain development, improving language and communication, creative thinking, emotional development, improved concentration, and preparation for academic success. So, what can you do to encourage your child to read? From choosing books set in Georgia to creating a family book club, here are a few tips that should help.
Match Books to Their Interests
Children often struggle to get into books because they are forced to read books they are not interested in. Even as an adult, it is hard to read a book if it does not match your interests, so you need to be mindful when selecting a book for them to read. Think about what their interests and hobbies are, and they find books that match these interests and are suitable for their age group.
Find Books Set Where You Live
Books can be a lot more relatable and engaging when you are familiar with where they are set. Therefore, a great way to encourage reading is to find books set where you live. For those in Georgia, for example, there are a number of books set in Georgia that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. This means that you can read these books together for a shared experience (more on this to come). Parents can play an important part in the learning experience of a child, and you will find many schools encourage reading at home to support early literacy and parental involvement.
Create a Comfy Reading Environment
It is hard to get lost in a book when you are trying to read in a noisy, uncomfortable environment. Therefore, you should encourage reading by creating a cozy reading space at home. This could be in their bedroom, a spare room, or even just a cozy nook in a quiet area of the home. This can become an important space for the whole family where they can disconnect, avoid screens, and enjoy some peace and quiet.
Make it a Shared Activity
As mentioned before, reading can be a shared experience. While reading independently has many benefits, some children will struggle with this and prefer to make it a shared activity. You can do this by reading together or even starting a family book club. This can make reading a fun, social experience, plus it gives you the opportunity to discuss the book – asking questions and encouraging them to share their opinion encourages deeper thinking.
Read Yourself
Finally, you can encourage your child to read by being an avid reader yourself. Children often mirror their parents, so when they see you reading on a regular basis, they will be much more likely to read in their spare time. You can then talk about what you are reading together – this often encourages lifelong reading. Hopefully, this post will give you a few ideas for ways to encourage your child to start reading regularly. Regular reading
