Get Your Child to Read More

This entry was posted on 21 November 2012.

Every parent knows how important reading is for a child’s development, but it’s not always easy to get your children reading even the best books – especially with TV, sports and toys to compete with. Here are 10 top tips to help you get your children reading more – and to love it too!

 


 

1 READ TO YOUR CHILD RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING

Even if your child is three months old, it’s not too soon to start reading to them. Even if they don’t understand the words, the sound of your voice and your touch soothes them and they will associate books with comfort.

 

2 MAKE BOOKS A DAILY PART OF YOUR ROUTINE

Making books and reading a daily occurrence ensures that your child will see this as the norm.

 

3 LET YOUR CHILD PLAY WITH THEIR BOOKS

As your child gets a bit older, let them play with books as they would with other toys: let them chew them and grab them, and start pointing to images in the book and say the words out loud repeatedly. Books should be seen as toys to play with and explore.

 

4 CHOOSE BOOKS THAT LINK TO WHAT YOUR CHILD LOVES

When your child is still young, choose books for them that focus on the things they love. So, for example, if your daughter loves princesses, pick the best books for this theme, such as The Big Book of Fairy Talesa collection of eight classic stories, including Rapunzel and The Snow Queen.

 

5 READ THE SAME BOOK EVERY NIGHT, IF NECESSARY

If your child goes through a stage where they want you to read the same book to them every night, do it! Although this may be boring for you, a small child feels comforted and safe by reading a book where they know the ending.  

 

6 MAXIMISE READING BOOKS & MINIMISE WATCHING TV

As tempting as it is to let your child watch TV so that you can have some peace and quiet, try hard to rather maximise on reading time.

 

7 PICK THE BEST BOOKS FOR YOUR CHILD’S AGE & STAGE

If a book is too complicated, your child will associate it with hard work, and if it is too easy, they will get bored quickly. Chat to your local bookstore about the best books for your child’s age and reading level so that they can both learn and have fun at the same time.

 

8 TURN READING INTO A SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Whether it’s their special time with Mommy or Daddy, a bedtime ritual or a daily dose of imagination, make reading a special experience for your child, and one that they look forward to every day.

 

9 AS YOUR CHILD GETS OLDER, LET THEM CHOOSE WHAT THEY WANT TO READ

Your children will quickly lose their love for reading if they are constantly getting books pushed on them that they didn’t choose themselves. Rahla Xenopoulos, mom to twins and author, says, “Children shouldn’t be patronised. Let them pick and choose what interests them”.

 

Children also want to read books that they can relate to, which is part of why John van de Ruit’s Spud series, set at a South African boarding school, has become a favourite for thousands of children all over the country.

 

10 READ BOOKS YOURSELF

Martinique Stilwell, another author and mom, says that you need to “show your children how much you love reading by reading yourself”. Whether it’s books, magazines or the newspaper, set an example for your children to follow. 

 

Ultimately, whether your child is reading a book, comics or magazines, it doesn’t really matter, so long as they’re reading.

Image: Direct Media / StockSnap

 


 

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The Importance of Nurturing a Culture of Reading with the Children of SA

 


 

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