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Reading is an anchor to lifelong learning and truly helps a child’s personal growth and development. Yet, encouraging a reluctant reader can be challenging. In this article, we will get to know some valuable ways to get kids hooked on reading. Not only that, but an ultimate objective is to also spark their love for reading and learning.
Reading has always been known to be quite beneficial, and raising readers is analogous to raising explorers. Kids benefit tons and tons from immersing in books, especially those that are insightful and inspiring. They can glean nuggets of good values and life lessons they can make use of in the present and in the future. There is no denying the great benefits reading offers, particularly for young learners.
Regardless, there are also kids born with no interest in reading whatsoever. At the same time, there are some who immediately embrace books as a part of their pastime or fun daily activity. In correspondence with those reluctant young readers, it may be tricky to engage them in reading books or, let alone motivate them to pick up a book. Most of the time, their hands find themselves clutched on toys instead.
Introducing reading into a child’s life and immersing them in books can be taxing, but surprisingly, it is an exciting endeavor, especially for parents and educators. Through this article, we will be able to gain helpful ways on how to get kids hooked on reading and bring them to love this routine. It will be a lot easier to follow through these tips to finally encourage them to pick that book up and read.
How To Get Kids Hooked on Reading? Let’s Find Out!
Read to them and with them
First on the list to get kids hooked on reading is to be a good model and let your kids see you read. They are most likely going to follow you. Start by reading to them and allow them to witness your excitement about reading a good book. After you demonstrate, you can hint that it’s their turn. Be with them as they read, ultimately committing to a special reading time with your little one.
Pick out books that are enjoyable and interesting
Of course, consider your child’s interests and hobbies. What makes them happy? Or what are the things enjoyable for them? What do they like? Reflect on these questions, find books that suit your kid’s liking, and allow them to choose as well. If your child, for example, likes to play with Barbie dolls, then perhaps pick out a book about princesses or Barbies. Also, ensure that the chosen books have valuable lessons to impart.
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Bring the book characters to life
Make reading fun for your kids by playing dress-up and acting out some of the scenes in the book that they specifically like. With hands-on activities, it is certain that your kids will be gripped to read as they find it a fun activity with added play and extra thrill.
Associate reading with a special treat
Imbue within your kids the beauty and value of reading. Let them associate and tie up reading with a special treat. When you reward your child for good behavior, reward them by buying them books or taking them to a library or bookshop.
Show them the things they are reading
If you are reading a book about space with your kids, you can consider bringing them to a child’s space convention of that sort or a space museum. Allow them to experience what they’re reading by taking them on family trips. This way, it will nurture their love for reading and as well as ignite their ambitions and passions.
A Message for the Reluctant Readers
Dr. LeAnna Hale-Ball is a passionate and dedicated educator and author whose specialized areas of instruction are Reading and Science. She is among those who yearn to get kids hooked on reading as she loves to guide them on their journeys of becoming lifelong readers.
With her love for reading, notably storytelling to children, she also sets aside as one of her priorities to work on something valuable and special for kids to enjoy.
Without further ado, she wrote a delightful and fun book entitled “We Ate Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa’s House.” This is, for sure, an excellent starter resource and tool to get kids hooked on reading.
For reluctant readers, they will not be considered reluctant for long!
With the help of this article and the firm support of Dr. LeAnna Hale-Ball’s book, we will successfully bloom children’s love for reading and encourage them to embrace reading as a lifelong companion. Grab your own copy of “We Ate Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa’s House” today, and while you’re at it, read another interesting article on how reading strengthens parent-child relationships.
