APRIL BLOG – HOW TO GET YOUR CHILD TO READ

HOW TO GET YOUR CHILD TO READ

One of the most common questions I get is “how can I get my child to like reading?”

Sometimes the situation in a family is where one child likes reading while the other does not like reading. Then the challenge for the parent is how to get the other child to like reading.

The best way to get your child to like reading is by understanding why they don’t like reading. Ask them. They will tell you things like; it is boring, it is difficult or the books have many words. Once you know their reasons, then you can work on helping them get into a reading habit.

I am going to discuss some of the things that discourage children to read.

When reading is a punishment

Punishment is used to stop an undesired behavior. Yet, parents use reading as a form of punishment.

When you use reading to punish your child, it contributes to a dislike in reading because they will associate it with negative emotions.

Instead, use reading as a form of reward. It will motivate your child and they will associate reading and books with positive emotions.

When the genre doesn’t interest them

Most of the time parents select books for their children and it is okay. However, if you realize that your child is not reading the book you have selected for them, then it is important that you find the reason.

Enquire from your child what kind of stories interest them and give them a chance to select their own book the next time you go to a book shop or library. They will definitely read their own selection. It’s that simple.

When there is no role modeling or reading culture at home

Children will copy what the adults do at home. If the adults watch TV then they too will watch TV. However, when a child sees their parent reading a book, magazine or newspaper, they will also copyl what the parent does.

Reading out loud to your toddler is the best introduction to reading for a child.

Therefore, create a conducive environment for reading at home where the whole family has a past time activity of reading.

When my son was about four years old, he was curious and fascinated that his dad was reading the newspaper every day. Today, he is a teenager and he cannot skip a day without reading the newspaper. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, right?

Lack of a community of readers

Children are motivated by other children. So, when your child joins a community of children who read, it will motivate them to read too.

Growing up I liked reading the comic series book “Archie”. My parents didn’t buy comic books for me but I found ways of trading this series with my novels. It was so much fun when we discussed the latest release during our free time in school.

A reading club or group is a good step towards nurturing a reading culture for your child.