Among the many good habits that parents must encourage in their kids, reading is an extremely essential one. It not only increases the knowledge of a kid as he or she grows up but is also helpful in enhancing the concentration power, ability to control the mind, increase the patience in kids and develop a good taste. But there are parents, who complain that their kids do not find reading interesting at all and stick to other activities more, which are not as constructive as reading. In this context it is important to realize that a child does not learn to read right from the day he or she gets acquainted with letters and words at school or at home. It is a habit that the parents must help their kids to acquire. But good parenting says that forcing the children to read does not help as they do not develop the required interest in the hobby that way. There should be interactive and interesting methods that will influence the kids to read.
Here are some techniques that can be applied to make kids develop reading habits.
1. Make your kid literate
Helping your kid to read is not the only method to make him or her literate. It is essential for you to stay away from those typical baby talks with your kid much before he or she is of six years of age, to help the child grow up properly in a literate manner.
2. Increase kid’s accessibility to different books
Kids get bored reading the same thing all over again. Keep abundant supply of books so that reading becomes an interesting hobby for the kid. You can also get your kid membership of online kid’s library, where he or she will have fun reading.
3. Find out the topic your kid finds interesting
In order to make reading interesting, it is very important to identify the subject your kid finds interest in. Try to give him or her more exposure on that topic by getting books that deal with the topic. It will be further interesting if you set a theme every week, so that it appears as a surprise to the kid and he or she tries to get knowledge on it throughout the week.
4. Be a role model
Kids are great imitators. So, you need to get into the habit of reading too, if you really want to make your kid develop the habit of reading.
5. A home library will be encouraging
Statistics have found that children, who have access to books at home, develop reading habits more. Therefore, build up a library of books at your home. As many as twenty books will also make a difference.
6. Interact with the child
Parents who interact more with their children get more responsive kids. Talk on simple subjects like what you saw outside your kitchen window, what the vegetable monger was selling etc. New words will automatically enrich your kid’s vocabulary.
7. Prioritize reading and talking time with your kid
Parents often get inclined to other things regarding their toddler, like feeding them, sending them to school, bathing them, etc. As a consequence, the time for reading and talking reduces. Discourage this if you wish to make your kid get interested in reading.
8. Question your kid
Once your child has slowly started developing the interest in reading, question him or her on the book the kid is presently reading. This will make the kid more engrossed towards reading.
9. Sometimes sticking on a same book helps
Kids, who are small enough to memorize things easily, will find it easier to concentrate on a topic if you read out the same story quite a number of times. That way, the toddler will be able to identify with the same and feel the urge to read the story for him or herself.
10. Make reading a routine
Just like brushing, playing or sleeping, make a separate schedule when your kid will read story books. Once this practice becomes a habit for the toddler, you will be able to achieve your desired goal.
11. Develop language and learning skills in your kid
Though it might appear ridiculous to you, but label every thing you have in your kitchen and around your house. The child will be able to learn the names of different things that way, but in a much easier way.
12. Make reading a pleasure for your kid
Develop good collection of kid’s books. Keep a chair and a reading table to make a comfortable nook in your house. All these will make reading an enjoyment activity for your kid.
