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It’s a huge concern for parents when their children don’t seem to be reading enough – or at all – but the good news is that the problem may be easy to fix with simple changes to your own behaviour and your child’s environment. Find out how to get your child into the habit of reading by encouraging him or her to read more, making your home a pleasant place to enjoy reading, and allowing your child to have some say in choosing the books he or she reads.
Set a good example
Young children who see their parents reading will be more likely to pick up a book by themselves later. Read to your kids and read for your own enjoyment, too.
Encouragement goes a long way…
Don’t nag your child about the fact that he or she doesn’t read enough, and don’t be too critical of his or her reading choices. It’s a good idea to find out what your child enjoys reading about and choosing books to suit that interest – they’ll read more if the book’s about something they enjoy, and that’s always a good thing, even if the book doesn’t seem academic enough or if your child prefers magazine articles. There’s something to learn from every kind of reading.
Get practical
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Some of the most important parts of getting a child to read more are the most practical aspects. Keeping books in a child’s room and making sure that the TV stays in the lounge makes it more likely that children will turn to books for entertainment. Having a lamp next to a child’s bed makes it easier for children to read last thing before they go to sleep without having to get out of bed again afterwards.
Talk about it
Talk to your children about what you’re reading, and encourage them to do the same. When you read to them, talk about what you’ve read, and if you’re reading a book that has a movie version, watch that with them and discuss the differences between the two versions and which one is best. Once your child gets interested in reading, they’ll have a hobby for life, so be patient as they’re getting started.
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