Reading is a crucial skill children need to develop because it helps build their language, literacy and communication competency.
Beyond something to help them function day-to-day however, reading—especially for pleasure—is also important because it sparks imagination, improves concentration and fosters empathy.
Yet not every child is born with a predilection for reading. How do you foster a love for reading in your child? And what happens if your child hates reading?
1. Make reading fun
We take reading for granted but learning how to do so can be extremely challenging. If they’re at an age where they’re still learning to read, develop games with sight words, choose fun stories and take your time. Deciphering symbols and stringing them together into something that makes sense can be intimidating. Encourage their attempts, no matter how slow.
2. Read to them
Develop this practice and not just for children who haven’t learned to read. Bedtime stories tend to stop as our children learn to read independently but there is great value in family reading time. It exposes them to rich worlds without them having to do the hard work, and introduces new words, phrases and expressions too. Most importantly, it fosters a connection and bond with your children when you read together. Audiobooks are great as well, especially for long car trips.
3. Encourage all forms of texts
Children don’t need to only read novels or a specific genre to gain the benefits of reading. Your children will still reap rewards from traditional or non-mainstream methods, such as graphic novels, fantasy or non-fiction books, or even the supermarket catalogue. Encourage what captures their attention, so long as it aligns with your values. If they are reading, they are reading.
4. Get a library membership
The library introduces them to texts while still being kind to your bank balance. Give them their own library card and allow them to choose their own books. They may discover a collection they love that you may have never thought of.
5. Give them a challenge
This works especially well for children who are goal oriented. Libraries and schools will often run reading challenges, encouraging children to read a certain number of books over a set period. Many Australian states and territories also run the Premier’s Reading Challenge (or equivalent). Get them to be a part of it and see how they respond.
6. Model a love for reading
We all know children are the world’s best copycats. Seeing you read and enjoying it will inspire them to do the same.
Melody Tan is project manager of Mums At The Table and editor for Signs of the Times South Pacific. She lives in Sydney with her husband and their primary-school-aged son.
