5 Ways To Make Kids Read Books

By Padmapreetham Mahalingam

Wednesday, February 12, 2014, 13:00 [IST]

How can you make your kids read books? When we talk about reading we only focus on the ways to improve the reading habits of adults and how to get them hooked to it. We never give much thought on how to get kids interested in reading books. Reading is a fundamental development and helping your child to kick-start that habit at an early age can help them get fascinated with reading. Reading has to be a shared activity between parent and child in order to open the floodgates of interest for a reader and to impart a love for books at an early stage. If you want to make your kids to love books, read aloud to them; and the earlier you start this practice, the better.

TIPS ON HOW TO READ TO TODDLERS

If you want to get your kids interested in reading books, make sure to take 20 minutes of your time just to read aloud to them during bed time. This shared experience can give them the desire to build vocabulary and to gain knowledge. Having books and magazines around the house can help children to view them and to cultivate an interest in reading. Here are some interesting techniques to make your kids to start reading books.

Bond with books
Reading can be made an interactive and shared experience if one of the parents takes time out to read aloud to the kids. When they’re still very young, make sure your child sits on your lap while you read aloud as this gives confidence for them to bond, interact and to enjoy reading. You can also try enacting the story, if your want to keep your toddler interested. Read in a place that is calm and comfy for both of you. During and after reading, try to take time out to discuss the story in order to ensure greater understanding. Never stop joined activities, unless your kids cultivate the habit of independent reading.

Ask the kids to choose the books
If you want to make your kids to read books, ask them to choose books. Giving them the freedom to buy books that they like can get them motivated and excited to read. Most of the book stores do cater to children, so allow them to find books that they love or choose books that you both like.

Go to the library
Going to public libraries is a wonderful experience to make your kids read books. This can be a nice way to save money and also a good opportunity for your kid to take advantage of all the resources that are available. Get a card and show your kid the way to locate the children’s section to find books. If your kids are old enough get them a library card to borrow books regularly. If you don’t have time to take your kid to the library, make sure to introduce them to online research.

Create a small library
Your kids may be small, but it would be a good idea to start a small library for them to get a hang of books. Try to start a library with just a shelf or two. Make sure to buy books of your children’s favorite authors so that they can locate and pick them up easily without your help. You can also buy used books that are affordable so as to build your own library. If your kid is younger then buy books with pictures for them look into or you can also get them to listen and read books to improve their pronunciation and to gain knowledge.

Make story telling a part of your daily activity
When you’re having dinner or driving around, make sure to tell stories to your kids from their favourite authors or you could try anecdotes from your own childhood days. To get kids interested in reading books, you can also try the trick of telling stories from your kid’s drawings or from pictures.

These are the some of the ways to pique your kid’s interest in reading books.