How To Instill The Habit Of Reading In Your Kids During The Pandemic
Developing the habit of reading is the best gift you can give your child. And using such a time when the world is in disarray, and schools are closed, is a wise choice. Mrs. Myers’ Reading Room offers engaging and effective reading programs for kids. Click here to enroll your child in our free trial classes.
Reading is a habit that instills creativity, critical thinking, patience, imagination, and the ability to think outside-the-box. Training your kids to be avid readers is essentially nudging them towards success.
Some of the most successful and great minds of all time like Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, LeBron James, Jeff Bezos, J.K. Rowling, Mark Zuckerberg, and many more are all avid readers. Your child can someday make it on that list, but you need to put in a little effort. Here's what you got to do.
Take them to the library
Taking your kids to the library once every two weeks or every week is a great motivation for kids. A library is filled with titles that your kid will enjoy. If your kid is already interested in books, this can be a great motivator to get them to finish reading a book by restricting the number of books they issue.
That way, they will always have a title they want to issue the next time they visit. Also, reward them by taking them to the library sooner if they finish their book(s).
Southeast Wisconsin's Public Library is stacked with thousands of books. There is an individual section or mini library – Thomas Hughes Children's Library – in it. The best part, it is currently open during the pandemic.
Read them stories every night
Read your child stories every night from the day they are born till their early school years to develop the habit of reading in them by making them realize how much fun a book can be.
Create a pro-reading environment
Designate a part of the house as a reading corner or nook; if you cannot make a home library, stack up all the books you have. Encourage your child to spend a certain amount of time every day reading in that spot and give them the freedom to add to the collection.
Introduce them to new genres
The main reason your child is not interested in reading is that they haven't found a title they could fall in love with. Introduce them to different genres and books and see what tickles their fancy. Don't force them to love a book that you like. Let them choose whatever suits their interests.
Take an interest in their reading
Have fruitful discussions with your child about what they are reading, how they find a particular book, the best part, favorite character, and more.
Express and showcase your interest in what your child is reading and motivate them with simple reminders like "Tell me how it ends," "I can't wait for you to tell me what happens next," and "I wonder what (insert character name) will do next."
Set an example
Children tend to subconsciously and consciously pick up on a lot of their parents' habits and behaviors. So if you read regularly, your child might also pick up that habit naturally.
Encourage activities that involve reading
Are you baking a cake? Teaching your kid to fly a toy airplane? Planning to do a DIY with your child? Encourage them to read the instructions. These small things might sound insignificant to you, but it will get them used to reading and encourage them to finish reading something even if it seems boring.
Write short stories for them
A unique way you can get kids excited about reading is to write short stories for them. It might be extra work for you, but it will all be worth it. If you can't do it every day, then do it on birthdays or special occasions. Something special from you will get them to cherish stories for the rest of their lives.
Allow them to choose
Many bookstores offer online delivery services, which is very useful during the pandemic. Many Southeast Wisconsin stores are also involved in this. Take your kids to their websites and let them choose what they want to read themselves.
Enroll them in a reading program
Enrolling your child in a reading program will help develop their reading abilities and polish their skills, as well as introduce them to some great books. If you are a bit strapped on time, let experts help you develop your kid's reading habit.
Mrs. Myers’ Reading Room offers engaging and effective reading programs for kids. Click here to enroll your child in our free trial classes.
