Creating Readers

Most parents would agree that reading is the most important thing children need to learn. Reading is the greatest tool to end poverty in a child’s life. Children need to read to become successful in this life.

But how can parents create in their children a desire to read? When do they start? What books do they use? How much time should be devoted to reading?

Here are some guidelines to encourage your kids to read:

First, start early - Hold your infants in your lap and hold a book in front of them. Choose a book with colorful pictures and a simple story. Turn the pages slowly and read in a calm, quiet voice. The best books at this age have just a few words on each page. The babies will love the pictures, and the sound of your voice is soothing and will calm a fussy child. The best books are board books, easy for babies to grasp, and cloth books that can be put into their mouths and not harm them. Pick up a few stand-up accordion books to stretch out on the floor in front of them, lay them on their tummy, and watch them stare at the books for hours.

Some favorites are: High Contrast Folding Crinkle Touch Feel Books Infant Tummy Time Toys, Soft Cloth Book for Baby Infant, My First Library: Boxset of 10 Board Books

Second, make time for reading – Make reading part of your daily routine, especially a part of your child’s nighttime rituals. After lunch or dinner, read a book with your child. As they get older, let them read to you. After important routines like baths and brushing teeth at night, set aside fifteen to thirty minutes of quiet reading time, with no electronics. That means no computer, TV, phone, or other devices, just a book, you, and your child enjoying using your imaginations as the story unfolds.

Hint: We set out kid’s bedtime at 8:00 p.m., but if they read a book, they could stay up until 8:30 p.m., making reading a fun curfew breaker!

Some favorite nighttime reads Goodnight Moon, Where the Wild Things Are

Get your child involved in their own reading – Take them to the library and let them choose an age-appropriate book. Take them to the bookstore, give them a budget, and let them buy their own book. You read the same book and ask questions about it; not only does this show them that their choices are important, but you can also see if they are comprehending what they read.

Hint: Check out my book list and reviews page for excellent books for older children.

Make it fun – Stop for ice cream afterward when you are out looking for books. Have a family contest to see who can read the most books in a month. Write book reports to share with the family around the dinner table (adults and kids). Give your kids art supplies to create their own books. You can even take their creations and publish them at a local office supply store or other printing places. Give the books your child creates to friends and family members as gifts.

Finally – If you want your children to be readers, you must set an example. Don’t just tell them to read; let them see you read for yourself. Yes, read to them, but also read for yourself. Let them be curious about what books you enjoy. Choose books that model good character or moral values that you could share with your child as they age. Remember, any book you leave lying around the house will eventually end up in your child’s hands, and they will read them.

Reading is the greatest adventure you will ever share with your child!