Books offer an endless opportunity to explore new worlds and knowledge. People first started to write as a way to record information. But soon, reading has proven a fantastic hobby for all!
Yet, reading is not something that comes easily to everyone. Indeed, while school teachers are tasked with the difficult job of teaching our children how to read, parents are responsible for turning school lessons into joy.
Indeed, reading presents countless benefits, both intellectual and psychological. Reading can help children:
- increase their vocabulary
- boost their communication skills
- find stress and depressive mood relief
- stimulate brain functions
- slow or prevent cognitive decline
So, of course, as a parent, you want to find the best approach to encourage your child to read more. The keyword is ENCOURAGE. Reading should feel pleasurable, which is why it should never be presented as imposed punishment. Unsure how to get started? Here are some smart tips to turn your little ones into young bookworms!
Introduce book naturally into your home
Everyone has a bookshelf at home. The average American household owns 114 books. Unfortunately, more often than not, the bookshelf is a sanctuary of abandoned books that nobody will read again. They are left accumulating dust and oblivion in the lounge or the study. In reality, if you want your child to appreciate books, you need to make them desirable to start with. So, when you have a bookshelf full of books, take the time to go through them and pick the one you’re not likely to read again. Decluttering your bookshelf will help showcase your favorite books and keep them looking clean and nice.
Bring age-relevant books
As tempting as it can be to introduce your child to your favorite books, you need to be careful about the stories young readers devour. Indeed, places such as the Age of Learning run subscriptions to ensure kids of all ages can receive the right books for their psychological development and reading levels. Reading a book that is too difficult to understand could discourage your child. But similarly, easy books that are below their reading age could feel boring and counterproductive.
You can also ask their teachers for recommendations.
Give them easy access to books
Reading should be a pleasure that doesn’t bring any unnecessary worry. Therefore, if you are concerned about buying books, there are many cost-effective alternatives that will help you stick to your budget. It can also be a great idea to keep the costs with younger children as they are unlikely to keep their books in the long term.
Public libraries are free to use for all residents with a library card. So it can be a great afternoon out with your child! They can read books in the library or borrow them to read at home. Additionally, librarians can also be a source of suggestions for lesser-known books that would still be suitable.
You can also buy second-hand books from popular sites such as Amazon. Second-hand items are cheaper, and they are perfectly suitable for keeping on a bookshelf or school work.
Growing up in a pro-reading home encourages children to embrace a lifetime of knowledge-seeking. It’s time to create an environment that contributes to your child’s reading behavior.