Reading is a good habit to cultivate in children. Not only will it expand their knowledge, reading will also widen children’s vocabulary, spark creativity through imagination and brain development. Nowadays, parents tend to read to their children starting from very young age. There are also many benefits that could be gained from reading to children. Through reading to them, children could learn new words and their pronunciation.
It is equally important for children to continue with the good habit of reading when they are of school age. However, reading does not come naturally for some children. While some children love reading, there are also others who detest it. Here are 6 ways to help if your child hates reading.
1. Make it a habit
A good way to help children to start picking up the book is to turn it into a habit. No matter rain or shine, or whether they feel like it or not, set a rule that everyone in the family, yes, including parents, are to read at least 3 pages from a book everyday. Once they realize there is no running out of it, children will want to complete it as soon as possible. Consistency is the key. When certain things are done everyday without fail, they will soon turn into habits. Before long, your child will reach out for the book automatically, whether he likes it or not.
2. Choose suitable reading material
A common reason for children to not like reading is that the reading material is too tough or too easy. When choosing books or reading materials for children, parents should get books that are suitable for their levels of proficiency. A child could be in Grade 3 at school but her reading proficiency could be way above or lower than that of a normal Grade 3 student. Reading materials that are too tough makes the child struggle with the reading. Similarly, children would find reading materials that are too easy boring and thus lose their interest. Getting suitable reading materials will thus pique children’s interest more and help cultivating a reading habit.
3. Explore different categories
Books are not the only reading materials around. There are others such as magazines and comics. Similarly, reading materials do not confine to only fictions. Non fictions titles could be of interest to some children. Children usually have many hobbies and they will be more attracted to reading materials in categories related to their hobbies. For example, many children like games such as Roblox and Minecraft. Books or magazines about these game play would be of interest to these children. Do not think about how these books will benefit children, but rather see it as a process to pique your child’s interest in reading.
4. Model reading
We know that children learn through observing. An easy way to cultivate the interest in reading among children is to let them see you reading, preferably a book. If you are reading from other gadgets such as tablets or mobile phones, make sure that your children know that you are reading instead of mindlessly scrolling the social media, etc.
5. Do not compile read list
Sometimes there are many titles that are of interest to the child. However, having a read list would sometimes be a burden instead of creating a culture or habit. When your child sees a book that interests her, let her go into right away instead of reminding her that there are still many other titles in her reading list. She may not feel the same now about what interested her some time ago. Just let the child to go with the flow.
6. Make it a family bonding time
It is strange to think that reading could be a good family bonding time. However, sitting together and read could be a good quiet moment to feel each other’s presence. There may not be any verbal communication, but feeling each other’s presence is in a way a comforting thought and feel. One could also play some relaxing and soothing music at the background. Children feel safe in such serene environment.
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