Developing a child’s interest in books is one of the most challenging tasks in an era like ours. A common concern among parents today is that their children are reluctant to read books. One thing you need to keep in mind is that children are like a lump of clay at the beginning of their life. They will grow the way you shape them.
To develop a child’s interest in books, at first, have to identify which category is your child in-
A. Loves to Read.
B. Unwilling to read.
If your child is included in category B, then the questions arise that-
- Is the book too hard for your child?
- Check if your child is struggling to read
- Is your child not getting the right environment to read?
Now, let’s find out some simple tricks to evolve a child’s interest in books.
Select books according to your child’s reading level
Just as you consider your child’s age before buying food or clothing, you need to consider your child’s reading level before selecting books. If the book is too hard, your child will get frustrated and stop reading. And if it is easier than his abilities, he will not be interested. A child’s interest in books also brings benefits to his formal education.
Select books with interesting visuals
Children are imaginative. They can connect their imaginary world with the visuals. So, choose books for your child with lucrative images, illustrations that are relevant to his age. Such books enhance their memory, expand their thinking capacity, and create the ability to understand quickly. Visualizations eventually help to develop a love of reading books.
Make a book corner at home
For the first few years after birth, the home is the only learning center for a child. So, you can instill the habit in him by reading stories to the child before nap time, after playtime, etc. Introduce him to books at a very early age. Build a book corner in the part of the home where your child feels most comfortable. Keep the books within his reach. Make him a place to sit and read books.
Read daily with your child.
Your reading habit will influence your child’s interest in books. Read a book to your child for some time every day. You have to enjoy reading books with your child. Try to present the characters in the book by acting in front of the child. For example, while reading a book, you can bring the characters to life by changing the tone of voice along with the characters in the book. This will excite him more for books.
Make reading a bedtime habit
Children like to sleep listening to stories. Before going to bed, read him a book like a story. It will open up the world of his imagination as well as enrich his vocabulary. Sharing a bedtime story with your child regularly will strengthen the emotional bond between both of you.
Discuss books with your child
Reading is the food for the brain. It satisfies our thirst for knowledge. Discuss with your child what books he is reading each day. Try to find out through conversation what kind of books he likes. Thus you can help him to select books as per his interest. After he finishes a book, ask what he learned from that book.
Read books in your mother tongue
After birth, a child first learns to speak his mother tongue. He loves to express his feelings in his mother tongue. So let your child read books in his mother tongue at the very early stage of life. It will be helpful for the child to understand the words in the book. He will feel more connected to the book.
Repeat the same books
Repetition can develop bonds. Young children usually forget a book after reading it. Let the child read the same book every few days. It develops his brain as well as creates a bond with the book.
Explain with practical examples while reading books
For example, if your child finds out about a fruit or vegetable in a book, introduce him to that fruit or vegetable in real life. As the child becomes more familiar with the letters, tell him more about the words he uses in practical life.
Take him to the library
Take your child to the library every few days. Looking at the collection of thousands of books in the library, your child will get more inspiration to read books. Realizing other people’s love for books in the library, your child will also feel love for books.
Gift your child books
A child’s interest in books makes him thoughtful and intelligent. Children love to receive gifts on special occasions. Give your child books as gifts to encourage him on his birthday or to do something good.
Read books to your child while traveling
Children are imitators. They imitate their parents and their surroundings mostly. If you use smart devices frequently in front of him, your child will also become addicted to them. So, despite using these devices, read books to your child while traveling by bus or train. Watching classmates read books at school develops a child’s interest in books.
Make reading interactive
Children want to practice any task on their own. When you finish reading a page of a book, let him turn the page. As well as reading books, you can strengthen your child’s interest in reading through storytelling animations. You can introduce him to alphabets through books as well as motion graphics. Schools play an important role in developing a child’s interest in books.
Finally, if you want to get your child accustomed to any good habits, you also need to acquire some qualities as parents. These qualities are:
- Patience
- Confidence
- Perseverance
The habit of reading books is a skill that plays a vital role in the overall development of children. It is an ongoing process that has to start at the early stage of life. The knowledge gained after reading the book is their life savings.
So, invest in your child’s holistic development. Excite him for books!