take their stories from head to paper,
working at their own pace and time.
How To Make Reading Fun For Your Child
Reading opens up our minds to the beautiful world around us. It helps us to draw up meaningful conclusions leading to informed decisions. Making reading fun ultimately benefits us.
What better time to learn to read than when young, inquisitive and ready to absorb information like a sponge? Studies show that reading aloud to your children not only increases their knowledge but helps develop and strengthen their social, emotional, and behavioural skills. Reading to and with them regularly, helps them form connections. Reading soon becomes natural for them.
7 Ways To Make Reading Fun
What can you do to make reading fun for your child? Here are my top seven tips represented by these letters:
B E S M A R T
- Be consistent. Giving your child 15-20 minutes of quality reading time is better than 30minutes or more every once in a while. Children love routine and structure. If you are consistent, they are happy, they get more from it, and it forms in their young mind that reading is essential, that is why you read with them daily!
- Engage them in the selection process. Let your child help choose their reading material. If they wanted it, they would likely enjoy it when you read it to them. Do not forget to get their opinion on why they chose the book. It would help you know what sort of reading material to pick for them in the future.
- Screen time should be reduced. I agree that the screen has come to stay, and children should be allowed some measured amount of it. It is also true that they could be a distraction. So, discuss as a family how much screen time they should get. And when choosing what to read, vary between digital and paperback books. Reading digital books shows them they could get educational stuff on the screen too!
- Make your reading space comfortable. If possible, away from the room, you have your tv. Most parents read at bedtime, which is excellent. Snuggle up together and let them have fun before going to sleep. Whether your bed, sofa dining table, or any other place you choose, make sure they are happy reading with you.
- Ask them questions about the book. Ask them questions about the characters, pictures, book cover, what they liked, what they did not like, what they would have done differently, or any other interesting question. Do not forget to mention the name of the author and illustrator. You never know; if they like the bock, they might like another book written by the same author!
- Read with warmth varying your pitch and volume to convey the story like a true-life one, almost like acting it up. Your child would love that extra effort you put in making the reading fun. Invite them to join you in repeating some words, especially when these words appear again and again. My son loved the book “We’re Going On A Bear Hunt” by Michael Rosen and Helen Overbury when he was about three and a half, and he mastered every word in that book because of the exciting rhymes and repetitions.
- Take them to your local library. Children just love libraries. They are even happier if they have their own library cards! Many libraries run various programmes for children especially in the summer holidays. Let them be a part of it! They would soon associate reading to fun activity and make it a life-long habit.
Check out these books, your child would enjoy listening to you vary your pitch and volume they can almost feel the characters come out of the books. Have fun.
How Do You Make Reading Fun For Your Child?
What has your experience been? Share it!
Remember to follow us on social media for more.
You will find the best stuff on the blog! Check out the following:
Like this post? Share it!
Fresh-squeezed how-to tips on book writing and busy mom life delivered to your inbox weekly.
My mama taught me never to brag. But permit me just this once to brag. Our emails kind of rock. This is where all the magic happens. Sign up for regular pep talks, inspiration, and all kinds of substance-packed goodness. Let's connect before you say goodbye.