How to Encourage Your Child to Read

How to Encourage Your Child to Read

Reading is fundamental. Well, it may be, but most kids don't even know what the word means so what's the point of expressing it that way? We need to express the importance of reading in a way kids will not just understand, but want to act upon. Many kids associate reading with school and the "I hate school" genera and "having" to read for school and homework - where's the "fun"damental in that?

Common sense says that if you teach something in a fun way, kids are more likely to learn better and faster. So why not make reading fun? It isn't hard, and you can also work it so the kids learn more than just "how to read" and to excel their reading skills, but also gives them the ability to use their imagination, creativity and even learn from the things they read. They can learn "how to read" and also learn about something new or a place they have never been to, to understand a different situation, think "outside the box", use their imaginations, have adventures, even make "friends" and have fun while doing it all!

So, how do you encourage your children - or any child - to read? There are a lot of options. Just pick one and start your child on an adventure, a mystery to solve, or to a place they have never been! Here's a few ideas.

Pick a Theme - fact and fiction: Pick themes that you know your child likes so that they will want to start the program, but also include some they aren't aware of so that they can embark on an adventure they never knew existed. What does your child like? Do they like animals, pioneer days, space adventures, prehistoric times, funny characters, real-life people, history, current times, or imaginary places? Well, start them on a book with their favorite theme, but also include books related to that theme that they aren't aware of. For instance, do they love Disney?