Not all kids naturally love reading. As a parent, what can you do to help your little one to enjoy books more? Check out these tips that are fun and easy ways to engage children of all ages to read more, and enjoy themselves doing it.
Ask questions
Read books adapted into movies or television shows together. You can experiment with reading the book before or after, and discuss with your child what they thought. Some questions you can ask to get the conversation going include:
"What happened differently in the book and the film?"
"Were the characters the same, or what you expected?"
"Which version did you enjoy more? Why?"
"Were the movie's setting and characters what you thought they would look like?"
Read together
Try taking turns reading a book together. It's fun to alternate reading one page (or chapter) out loud, and then have your child read the next.
Make it exciting
Use dramatic voices and actions as you read the book. Creating a fun experience can turn reading into an activity full of giggles.
Keep it cozy
Create a cozy space for reading. This could be as simple as arranging pillows and blankets or buying a special 'reading' bean bag. Either way, setting aside a particular area can go a long way to encourage reading.
Be a role model
Show your children that you like reading too! It's hard to convince someone to try something if you don't do it yourself. Even if you don't read regularly, this is a great time to start, even if it's just once a week.
Image via Pexels
Schedule it
Life is busy, and it's easy for a few weeks to pass by with no dedicated reading time. Pick the same time every week so that it becomes routine. You could set Sunday afternoons as reading time and sit silently alongside each other with your own books, or set time before bed to read and wind down from a busy day.
Seek assistance
Talk to your school's librarian. They can recommend fun, popular and new titles that will undoubtedly make reading more exciting. Additionally, they have experience with kids who don't enjoy reading and can offer further suggestions, programs and games, or they can even collaborate with your child's teachers.
Embrace images
Go for visually inspiring books. Graphic novels, comics, magazines and other books filled with images like the Guinness World Records can be an engaging way to hold a child's attention span.
Gain digital inspiration
Reading apps and websites can offer interactive e-books that read out loud and have characters who act out parts of the story. These can be great for younger ones to create enthusiasm.
Image via Pexels
Watch book trailers
Book trailers are found on video streaming websites. They are created by professional organizations or individuals who are passionate about the books they love. Just like movie trailers, they are a fun way to entice anyone to pick up that book!
And finally, remember, that it's never too late to start reading. No matter the age of your child, they can always pick up a new hobby or interest, so encourage reading to be the next one, and have fun while doing it.
Try These Book Suggestions for Your Child
Image via Amazon
Graphic novels
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Recommended for children ages 8-12
El Deafo by Cece Bell
Recommended for children ages 8-12
Film adaptations
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Recommended for children ages 8-12
The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery
Recommended for children aged 6+
True stories about inspiring people
Neo Leo: The Ageless Ideas of Leonardo da Vinci by Gene Barretta
Recommended for children ages 4-8
Interactive choose your own adventure
What Should Danny Do? by Adir Levy
Recommended for children aged 3+
Dinosaur Canyon by Blair Polly
Recommended for children ages 8-12 years old
[Cover image via Pexels]
All available via Taobao.com or Amazon.cn
Kendra Perkins is Head Librarian for an international school. She was coordinator for the Shanghai Librarians Network and Ambassador of China for the International Librarians Network. Find her at: TheInspiredLibrarian.com.
