In a world where “stories” are created, viewed and discarded in a matter of twenty-four hours, it can feel more difficult than ever to raise children who love to read. Indeed, it is every parent’s dream to raise avid readers. Not only does reading help a child to learn but it allows them to build a better vocabulary, stimulates their imagination and improves their focus and concentration.
Researchers have even confirmed that reading is not only one of the best hobbies in the world, but one of the healthiest. In fact, did you know that through the act of reading alone you can heighten your brain connectivity, build stronger and more sophisticated networks, and strengthen your language processing regions?
So, with so much to gain, just how does one cultivate a love for reading in their children? From reading to them before bed to giving them their own space on the bookshelf, below we discuss the top 3 ways to raise avid readers.
The top 3 ways to instill a love for reading in your child
Read your child a bedtime story every night
The habits we form in childhood are quite literally the building blocks for our lives. And as parents, it is up to us to help our children develop healthy habits. By creating a bedtime routine which encourages your child to replace their screens with books, you can instill a lust for reading even before your child knows how to spell. Indeed, by reading your child a bedtime story every night, you can give them a love for reading which can last a lifetime.
Allow them to choose their own books
One of the best things you can do to instill a love for reading in your child, is to give them a sense of ownership over the books they read. By actively involving them in the process of picking and reviewing a book of their choice, you are not only giving them the confidence to make their own choices in life but allowing them to express themselves through their choice of literature.
So, the next time you are heading to the bookstore or library, ask them to hop in with you and allow them to choose a book that they are interested in. Make sure to let them explore the shelves without your judgement and only offer your recommendations if they ask for it. That way they will learn to not only love reading, but to never judge a book by its cover.
Give them their own shelf on the bookcase
As your child’s love for reading grows, so too will their book collection. By giving them their own space on the bookshelf to develop their unique collection of books, you are giving them one of the best gifts of all time. Indeed, our book collections not only grow and evolve with us but can even be handed down generations to be treasured for years to come.
So, why not try out these 3 ways to raise avid readers, create share memories and pass down the gift of reading to your child.